CCR'S Interpretation

Laural,

Well, it depends--on what your governing documents state. Normally in a townhouse situation, the owner can do interior remodeling without any ARC or Board approval. Meaning like a kitchen, bath, floor remodel would not need approval. Inside modifications do not need permits as well. If your are doing wiring or plumbing changes, the contractor will be licensed but permits usually are not required for that as well unless your city or municipality requires them, which is overkill for interior changes.

There may be restrictions in your documents which state that upper units may not have hard surfaced flooring except in the kitchen and bath areas. That would be something that needs approval by the Board or ARC if changed .

The window question is always a stickler. Your documents will spell out who is responsible for repair and replacement of windows and doors. Here again, normally in Townhomes, that is owner responsibility but must follow the rules on what materials and colors they must be.

So I would say that your Board is correct in that they have little or no jurisdiction over the interiors.

Laura, the Board is not involved in approval of any interior change and is not be involved with any of required City permits. The Architectural request form may state that the owner is responsible for obtaining anyother approvals required. Check your Declaration of CC&Rs. Approval of the Architectural committee usually is required for anything exposed to the exterior, including doors and windows.

Verify permits in relation to exterior modifications.
Approval for exterior modifications.

Our CCR"S have not been updated since they were written. My feelings are there is nothing written that would give a board any power over someone's home interior. That would be a real invasion of privacy. Just wondering if anyone had CCR's that would allow such invasion.

Laura,

Whenever there is a shared common element (your central wall with the other townhouse) that might fall under the HOA's jurisdiction, thus they have the duty and right to inspect that part of the interior. This is not an invasion of privacy but their fidutiary duty to maintain the integrity of the structured common element.

IF, they are looking inside of cabinets, closets, then you may have a case on invasion of your privacy but in this type of structure, you need to accept the fact that it is what it is and not a reason to get worked up about it. You are in a HOA and you signed documents allowing the HOA to function according to your documents.