Architectural Review Committee Member Checklist
Whether your community calls it the ARC, ACC, ARB, DRC, architectural committee, or modification committee, the job is the same: review proposed changes fairly, consistently, and within the authority granted by the governing documents. This checklist gives volunteer reviewers a practical structure for every application.
6 min read
Before reviewing the request
- Confirm the application is complete and date-stamped
- Identify the project category and the specific guideline sections that apply
- Check for required surveys, drawings, material samples, photos, permits, fees, or deposits
- Confirm the committee has authority to decide the request rather than only recommend it
- Note the decision deadline in the governing documents and applicable law
During the review
- Apply the written standard, not personal taste
- Compare similar prior decisions to reduce selective-enforcement risk
- Document questions and request missing information through the official record
- Record conflicts of interest and recusals where required
- State any approval conditions clearly enough that a homeowner can follow them
Different initials, same responsibility
ARC usually means Architectural Review Committee, ACC means Architectural Control Committee, ARB means Architectural Review Board, and DRC means Design Review Committee. Some communities simply say architectural change or modification committee. The governing documents, not the acronym, define the committee's authority.
When recording the decision
- 1Choose the decision authorized by your process: approve, approve with conditions, table for information, or deny.
- 2Tie a denial or condition to the applicable guideline rather than a general preference.
- 3Record the vote, date, reviewers, conditions, and supporting documents.
- 4Send the homeowner a clear written notice with the next step or appeal path.
- 5Retain the complete record so future committee members can see the precedent.
A better workspace for volunteer committees
Curb Approve puts the request, attachments, applicable rules, prior decisions, checklist, deadline, and decision actions in one place. Committee members spend their time evaluating the proposed change instead of reconstructing the file from email.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an ARC, ACC, ARB, and DRC?
They are different names for the committee or board that reviews homeowner architectural changes. The governing documents and applicable law determine its authority, composition, and process, not the acronym used in its name.
Should architectural committee members consider past approvals?
Yes. Reviewing similar prior decisions helps a committee apply standards consistently and explain why the current request is the same or different. For legal questions about precedent or selective enforcement, consult the association's attorney.
See Curb Approve in action
Everything in this guide, working for your community. Homeowners submit online, committees review with the rules in front of them, and every decision is recorded.
Keep reading
The HOA Architectural Review Process: A Complete Guide
How HOA architectural review works, from a homeowner modification request through the committee decision, appeal, and permanent record.
GuidesHow Long Does an HOA Have to Approve a Modification Request?
Learn where HOA architectural review deadlines come from, what 'deemed approved' can mean, and how boards can respond to modifications on time.
TemplatesWhat to Include in an HOA Architectural Modification Request Form
A field-by-field HOA modification request checklist that helps homeowners submit complete applications and committees review them faster.