Can Your HOA Tell You What Color to Paint, A Practical Guide

November 30, 2025 Austin Jones General HOA Rules

Introduction: Why the Question Matters

You paint your front door bright teal, thinking it looks great, then a letter from the HOA arrives with a deadline to repaint or pay fines. This happens all the time, so the question can your HOA tell you what color to paint matters because it affects your wallet, your timeline, and your resale value. Yes, in most cases your HOA can tell you what color to paint.

Why? Most communities write color rules into their CC&Rs and design guidelines, and they enforce those through an architectural review board. Ahead I will show you how to check your documents, find the approved palette, submit color samples, and document approvals so you do not get hit with fines or stop work orders. You will also see practical tactics for requesting a variance and examples of when local law or historic district rules might override the HOA. Follow these steps and you will turn a surprise violation into a quick, low cost fix.

Who Gives Your HOA the Power to Regulate Paint

People ask, can your HOA tell you what color to paint because it feels personal, but the answer comes from paperwork, not opinion. The HOA gets authority from recorded covenants conditions and restrictions, usually called CC&Rs, plus bylaws and any architectural guidelines the association adopts. Those documents often give an Architectural Review Committee or the board power to approve exterior changes, including paint colors.

Look for language like "no exterior alteration without approval" or an explicit color palette attached to the guidelines. If the CC&Rs require ARC approval, you must submit a color sample and wait for a decision. If the documents are silent on color, the HOA may lack clear authority to enforce one, though rules and board resolutions can still create restrictions if adopted properly.

Practical steps to verify authority

  1. Pull the CC&Rs from your county recorder or request them from the HOA.
  2. Find the architectural control clause and any attached color lists.
  3. Note appeal or amendment procedures, and whether approvals must be reasonable.

If the HOA overreaches, consult a community association attorney or pursue internal dispute resolution first.

How to Find Your HOA Rules Fast

Wondering can your HOA tell you what color to paint? Use this quick checklist to find the answer fast, then get approval in writing.

  1. Check the HOA website or resident portal first, search for "architectural guidelines", "painting", or "approved colors". Download PDFs, note page numbers and section titles.

  2. Pull your CC&Rs and bylaws, either from the portal or the county recorder. CC&Rs often contain binding rules about exterior colors.

  3. Scan meeting minutes and newsletters for recent palette updates, example, "July 2024 color update approved by board".

  4. Call or email the management company, open a ticket, and ask directly for the current color palette and the approval form. Request color codes, like Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore numbers.

  5. Visit the clubhouse or board office for physical binders or sample swatches. Take photos and note the sample ID.

  6. Get written confirmation before you paint, include the exact color code, approved date, and signatory. Save the email or PDF for future resale or disputes.

Common HOA Paint Rules and Real Examples

When homeowners ask "can your hoa tell you what color to paint" the short answer is yes, often with specific boundaries. Here are the rules you will see most commonly, with real examples.

Approved palettes, example: many HOAs supply a 10 to 15 color palette. One community I reviewed only allows colors from a printed swatch book, no custom mixes. Always submit the exact swatch code.
Trim rules, example: trim must be white or an approved neutral. Some HOAs let darker trim only if you paint body and trim together for a cohesive look.
Accent limits, example: one accent color for the front door and shutters, covering no more than 10 to 15 percent of the facade. Metallic or neon finishes are usually prohibited.
Maintenance requirements, example: owners must repaint fading surfaces every five to seven years and repair peeling paint within 60 days of notice.

Practical tips: take a photo of your house with the swatch applied, get written approval from the architectural review committee, and keep a dated copy. Ignoring rules can lead to fines or a required repaint at your expense.

Step by Step, How to Get Your Color Approved

If you are wondering can your HOA tell you what color to paint, follow this tactical checklist to get approval fast.

  1. Read the application first. Note required documents, fees, and committee meeting dates. Typical items are paint brand, color name, and manufacturer code. Write the property address exactly as the HOA records show.

  2. Prepare physical samples. Mount 12 inch by 12 inch boards for each body color, trim, and accent. Label each with brand, color code, and finish. Tape a small chip to the board for easy comparison.

  3. Photograph the house. Take four photos, front and both sides, at midday and at golden hour. Include wide shots that show neighboring homes, and close shots showing siding, trim, and roof. Attach a mockup photo with the new color applied using a paint preview app or simple photo edit.

  4. Submit and track. Submit online or by certified mail, include a one page cover letter, and request an estimated decision date. Most ARCs respond in 14 to 45 days; check CCRs for exact timelines.

  5. Speed approvals with these tips: meet the committee in person, provide three color choices instead of one, include neighbor approvals if needed, and follow up politely one week before their deadline.

What to Do If Your HOA Denies Your Color

Start by reading your CC&Rs and the denial letter, note appeal deadlines, and make sure the refusal follows the written rules. If you are wondering can your hoa tell you what color to paint, the answer often hinges on the exact language in those documents.

Negotiate with the board, bring large swatches, printed photos of your street, and at least one neighbor who supports the color. Offer a compromise, for example a slightly different shade, or matching trim changes to reduce visual impact.

File a variance request next, include a clear cover letter, photographs, neighbor signatures, and examples of similar approved colors in the community. Track dates and keep copies.

If the board remains firm, ask for mediation through your state’s community dispute program or a private mediator. Consult an attorney when the HOA ignores its own process, issues fines, or enforces rules selectively; a lawyer can review remedies and cost versus benefit.

Smart Tactics to Pick HOA Friendly Colors

Start by asking your HOA for any approved color palettes, then pick a shade that sits near those choices. If you wonder can your hoa tell you what color to paint, showing you followed their guidelines wins points. Use a neutral base color for most of the facade, then pick one trim and one accent color for doors or shutters. Lighter palettes tend to get faster approvals, they read as less bold from the curb. Match the value of neighboring homes, not the exact hue, for visual cohesion. Test samples on site: paint 4 foot by 4 foot panels on each exposed elevation, view at morning, noon, and evening, and photograph the results for the application. Bring actual 4 inch chips and the painted photos to the review meeting, and offer to repaint trim or accents if the board prefers. Those concrete steps boost approval odds and reduce rework.

Conclusion and Quick Checklist

Short answer to "can your hoa tell you what color to paint" is yes sometimes, since CC&Rs and local rules control exterior colors. Quick checklist:

  1. Read CC&Rs and color palette.
  2. Ask the board about approval steps and timeline.
  3. Submit paint chips or photos, show trim and door colors.
  4. Get written approval before painting, keep records for resale.