Architectural Control Committee General Information

"The purpose of the Committee is to protect the property value of the Lots and to prevent unsightly conditions on the Properties." The members of the ACC are appointed by the SFII HOA Board of Directors.

Guidelines & Information for
Architectural Control Design Reviews
for Home Owners Associations

(This is for informational purposes only and may or may not be board policy.)

• Properly exercised design review or architectural control protects property values by creating and preserving an attractive community.
  

• Every association should adopt a manual of design review guidelines to ensure the review process is legally valid and enforceable. The guidelines should discuss the association's legal basis, approval requirements, and basic design principles.
  

• The association should promptly notify new members of its design review requirements, issue periodic reminders to all members, and give design review guidelines to every member considering an exterior design change.
  

• Each design approval application should be processed fairly, reasonably, and in a timely manner.
  

• An owner can challenge a design regulation or provision for the following reason:

1.    Against public policy or statute. The design provision cannot violate an established public policy or statute.

2.    Arbitrary and capricious action by reviewing authority. The design regulation must be applied fairly, consistently, and in good faith. 

3.    Failure to follow enforcement procedures. The association must follow the enforcement procedures contained in the governing documents or adopted by the association. 

4.    Laches. Failure to enforce the regulation in a timely manner. 

5.    Waiver or estoppel. Failure to act on similar violations.

• The association's design review guidelines should include: 

1.    The basis in the legal documents for design review. 

2.    What changes require approval. 

3.    Design considerations. 

4.    Procedures for design review.

5.    The creation of a design review committee. 

6.    Corrective action.

• Design requirements are basic fundamental requirements, stated in general terms. Typically, they are written in the association's governing documents, covering what modifications require approval and the basic design objectives.
  

• Design principles outline the criteria used to determine whether a proposed design meets the stated design requirements. Design principles allow for some flexibility.
  

• Acceptable design practices are specific methods for achieving the requirements and principles for frequently encountered design situations.
  

• The association's design review procedures should include provisions for the committee to grant design variance. The committee should explain why it disapproves an application and may suggest ways to modify the application so that it is acceptable.
  

• Corrective Action:

1.    Act promptly. Don't let an apparent violation go unattended. Send a letter to the homeowner. The letter should identify the violation and a time frame for correcting it. Ask the owner to contact the association if they can't correct the violation within the time frame. 

2.    Follow up. Send a second letter. If the owner still has not responded, send a third letter noting the violation and any action that the association may take to obtain compliance. 

3.    Be reasonable. Never refuse to consider an application because of an existing unapproved change. Do not require members to remove unauthorized structures as a condition of review.

• The association design review policy should reflect a balance between individual rights and the good of the entire association.

This information was gathered from "Architectural Control: Design Review" by Byron R. Hanke and Richard S. Ekimoto.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join the ACC?

Yes. Please contact the ACC Committee member as noted on the Contact Us page of this website and inform him/her of your interest to become an active part of the Silver Firs Community. Your volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated.

What type of improvements are subject to Architectural Control?

No clearing, grading, construction or placing of any building, fence, wall, substantial landscaping or other structure shall be commenced, executed or maintained upon the Properties, nor shall any exterior addition to or change or alteration therein be made until the plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape, height, materials and location of the same shall have been submitted to and approved in writing as to harmony of external design and location in relation to surrounding structures and topography, by an Architectural Control Committee. In the event the Architectural Control Committee fails to approve or disapprove of such design and location within thirty (30) days after such plans and specifications are submitted to it for approval, approval will not be required and full compliance with this Article will be deemed to have been met.

To accomplish this, each Homeowner is required to submit, for approval, and before work is started, an ACC Request for Design Approval for all proposed construction and improvements to existing structure and all new construction or improvements. This includes such items as: changing exterior siding, roofing material, paint color and additions to existing home. It also includes all construction of rockeries, fences, decks, sheds and other structures, satellite dishes and major landscaping.

How does the Design Approval Process work?

The ACC Request for Design Approval is submitted by the Homeowner and then reviewed by the Committee. The Committee makes a determination to approve or disapprove each request. If the request is disapproved, the Homeowner will be given the reason for disapproval and how the proposal can be changed to bring the project into compliance with established guidelines.

How long does it take for my Design Approval to be approved?

Per the CC&R’s, the process is to be accomplished within 30 days of the request being submitted to ACC. The Committee’s personal goal is 14 to 21 days.

For more thorough information, please see the Architectural Section of the CC&R’s of this website.

Did you know?

 Did you know that Snohomish County contractors and homeowner's can now file for building permits online. On April 1, 2005, the county joined an online services owned and managed by Bellevue, Bothell, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Snoqualmie and Woodinville. www.MyBuildingPermit.com can be used to apply for residential mechanical, residential plumbing and re-roofing permits. Homeowners and licensed contractors can make applications, pay fees and obtain permits online.

 Please remember that homeowner's also required to apply for SF II HOA ACC Design Approval. The link to the application is at the top of this page.