If you’ve ever served on an HOA Architectural Review Committee (ARC), you know the drill: homeowners want quick answers, boards want consistency, and someone, somewhere, has submitted a photo of a pergola drawn in Microsoft Paint and labeled “close enough.”
Architectural reviews don’t have to feel like detective work. With the right processes (and the right framework), they can be one of the easiest, most neighbor-friendly parts of HOA governance.
This guide breaks down how HOAs, especially single-family and townhome communities, can make architectural approvals smoother for everyone involved. From ARC volunteers to homeowners who just want to extend their patio without a 47-email back-and-forth.
(Even When Everyone’s Trying Their Best)
ARC workflows are often held together with a patchwork of spreadsheets, inbox folders, PDFs named FinalFinalRealVersion.pdf, and a group chat with too many opinions.
Common breakdowns include:
These little friction points add up, creating frustration on both sides.
But there is good news. With structure, transparency, and a few thoughtful tools, architectural reviews can shift from reactive to smooth, predictable, and dare we say… pleasant?
Here’s a practical checklist your board can use to tighten up the experience:
ARC guidelines should live in one location, not scattered across:
A central, digital repository eliminates guesswork and reduces repeat questions.
Every submission should ask for the same items:
Pro tip: Provide examples of complete and incomplete submissions so homeowners see the difference.
Homeowners love certainty. ARC volunteers love fewer emails asking, “Any update?”
Publish expectations like:
ARC decisions are precedent-based, so maintaining a searchable log protects fairness and consistency.
No more digging through Dropbox or ancient email chains to see what paint color was approved for Lot 152 eight years ago.
This dramatically reduces “I heard my neighbor got approved so why can’t I?” situations.
This is where ManageHOA quietly shines for single-family and townhome boards.
ARC committees get:
ManageHOA was designed for this type of board-led, high-volume, homeowner-friendly workflow. But the point isn’t “buy software.”
The point is: centralization = clarity.
And the platform just happens to make that easy.
Keep Homeowners in the Loop (Before They Panic)
Everyone feels better when they know where their request stands.
Send automated or template messages when:
Architectural approvals can be a place where you create community pride.
Consider:
Transforming ARC processes into community storytelling goes a long way toward reframing HOAs as supportive partners, not rule enforcers.
When your architectural review flow is centralized, documented, and consistent, you get:
ManageHOA, HOA software, doesn’t replace good governance, but it does help ensure your ARC process works the way you always hoped it would. Book a Demo with our team to see how ManageHOA can support your HOA board!