Fees to submit an ARC?

I have been a board member in my townhome community since 2016. Currently, I am looking to move to a single family home. While I am waiting for the builder to be ready to write a contract for the lot I want, I happened to do a search for the HOA docs for the 2 communities this builder has in this neighborhood of Davenport, FL. This stems from the fact that apparently they don't add gutters and downspouts to the home. Both the community across the street from this new development (that apparently will share the amenities with the one I am looking at) and the one around the corner use the same management company. The "XXX" Community Management Exterior Alteration Application shows fees for the homeowner to pay when submitting the ARC application - such as $75 for a screen enclosure, $25 for gutters, $75 for fences, etc.

I asked our development's management company if this was typical, as we DO NOT charge a homeowner to submit an ARC. Granted, they are typically just for screen ins, satellite dishes and landscaping. Our manger thought this was unusual, to charge a fee. I thought I would post this here to see if others out there have fees for submitting an ARC?

Thanks for your time.

I am in a similar situation but did not see any extra charges for ARC. However, I am in the process now of asking about a fence and tornado shelter. The HOA is owned by builder across the street and not my builder. They did include gutters as an option for my house as part of the pre-build process. After that, have not been able to make a single change. Not even to move the blinds to another window!

I'd ask before the paperwork is signed about those charges. Maybe it could be related to AFTER building those charges apply?

I have asked my realtor to ask the sales consultant at the builder for a copy of the HOA docs. Yes, those fees (ie $75 if I want to screen in my lani, which I do) are for if I submit an ARC/ARB request once I have closed and taken over the home. When I moved into my current home, I had the back porch screened in and had to fill out an ARB application to get permission to screen it in (no permits needed).

Our community has 90 townhomes and we don't have a separate ARB - one of the board members reviews the request and signs off with the necessary comments for typical items such as sat dish that can be placed on a pole, screen in the lani, and storm door. Unusual items are discussed by the Board. We don't charge our homeowners a fee to submit an ARB request...

I would do as much research on the HOA as you possibly can. Obtain the governing documents, request financial records (balance statements, budget, reserves), etc. What else do they charge for that you don't yet know about? In my state, much of that is required to be made available to prospective homeowners.

Personally, I feel a fee is only warranted if that fee is going to actually pay for something . . . e.g., expertise in architectural review (architect, engineer, etc.) who are paid for that service; possibly a small amount to the management company if it is part of their contract for the admin side of the paperwork; etc.

However, if a fee is only being charged just because it can be . . . as a money-maker for the HOA and/or management company . . . then I personally don't think that is right.

Your dogs and cats tear up screens?

Do you have any idea what you're talking about or do you just make things up as you go?

If you had read some CCRs, and this applies to mainly to new detached single family homes, there are clauses in them that state you have 6 months from date of closing to landscape your property. This has absolutely NOTHING to do with a builder adding a screen pouch, room addition and adding the price to your mortgage.

The fee for the ARC can be up to $500.00, maybe more, but the process is done through a paid committee that doesn't answer to a board. They will make sure the right permits are pulls, the right trees planted, they actually do onsite visits to inspect the progress. These developments will have more of a detailed guideline on what and what can't be done on one's property. Making sure trees planted have rots that grow straight down and no sideways as to damage sidewalks and/or sewer lines. What trees are suitable for that region and so forth.

Trust me, it has nothing to do with adding a dime to your mortgage.