Architecture REview Committee

Alex,
You already have asked what the purpose of an ARC is and you answered it correctly. It is to maintain the integrity of the community according to the Developers original intent and for all of the people who bought into that community, who expect that a certain quality will remain within that community.

In 2007, the State Statutes were revised to take away some of the control from ARCs which has become a good thing in the communities that keep on top of the State changes. Below is just 1 paragraph which tells you what the State now says. Paragraph 2 is very huge as it tells the ARC, that they are required to state exactly which options would be not acceptable. For instance, if your DOCS say-- all earth tones, that is too vague and I could apply and paint a bright Coral because it specifically does not disallow bright colors.

720.3035 Architectural control covenants; parcel owner improvements; rights and privileges.--

(1) The authority of an association or any architectural, construction improvement, or other such similar committee of an association to review and approve plans and specifications for the location, size, type, or appearance of any structure or other improvement on a parcel, or to enforce standards for the external appearance of any structure or improvement located on a parcel, shall be permitted only to the extent that the authority is specifically stated or reasonably inferred as to such location, size, type, or appearance in the declaration of covenants or other published guidelines and standards authorized by the declaration of covenants.

(2) If the declaration of covenants or other published guidelines and standards authorized by the declaration of covenants provides options for the use of material, the size of the structure or improvement, the design of the structure or improvement, or the location of the structure or improvement on the parcel, neither the association nor any architectural, construction improvement, or other such similar committee of the association shall restrict the right of a parcel owner to select from the options provided in the declaration of covenants or other published guidelines and standards authorized by the declaration of covenants.