Houston HOAs often have strict guidelines for exterior home painting. Always review your HOA’s rules, avoid making assumptions or putting off your painting project, and consult local professionals to avoid costly repercussions.

No one wants to get their house painted beautifully and then have the HOA send a fine and instructions to repaint it! But, that can happen if you’re not careful. It’s common for homes in Houston to be part of an HOA, but that doesn’t always stay top of mind when homeowners are working on a painting project. HOAs do a lot of good, but in these cases, they might feel like the paint police. In this guide, we’ll cover common HOA paint guidelines and what NOT to do when it comes to painting your home. 

A uniform, well-maintained neighborhood is often the aesthetic goal of an HOA. Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/aerial-photo-of-brown-roof-houses-jp9JczGYMnY 

How Common Are HOAs in Houston?

Before we talk about how to keep your HOA happy, let’s look at how widespread HOAs are in our area. Spoiler alert: a lot of Houstonians are part of a Homeowners Association! According to the Lifetime HOA Management, Texas is the state with the 5th most homes in HOAs relative to population at almost 21%. In the Houston area, as of 2019, there were 1,119,000 households in HOAs. That number has only continued to rise since. However, understanding of Texas HOA bylaws has not necessarily correspondingly increased.

With Houston’s real estate market heating up, lots of families, including first-time home buyers, will be moving in to Houston’s neighborhoods. But in the hustle and bustle of purchasing a new home—especially for the first time—HOA forms can become one more paper to sign instead of one to study and understand. Let’s explore what HOA rules there are for painting your home.

What Can HOAs Say About Painting Your House?

In our area, HOA laws and regulations can vary significantly when it comes to home painting, but there are certain consistencies. The HOA board only has jurisdiction based on the HOA guidelines, so there can be no further restrictions of paint colors besides what is clearly indicated. Some HOA guidelines will list specifics, down to the paint color and brand, that are approved for your home. 

Other common guidelines may include the following:

• Any home painting colors must be approved, including for roofs and shingle selections, unless you are using the exact same color paint as the original.

• Exterior paint for all siding, trim, gutters, and garages needs to be light or neutral, and gutters should match trim.

• Only front doors and shutters can be bright or dark accent colors, but each shade needs to be approved.

• Painting over brick has to be approved on an individual basis.

These rules aren’t just for no reason. HOA guidelines and restrictions for exterior home appearance maintain the community’s uniform look and positively influence property values. Your goal is to benefit from the rules rather than be punished by them.

Houston homeowners must often adhere to strict rules about exterior paint color as part of their Homeowners Association agreement. Image URL: https://www.pexels.com/photo/couple-standing-in-front-of-their-house-7579042/ 

DON’T Choose the Wrong Color

Choosing a paint color for your home is a very important decision. If you’re trying to sell, for example, certain colors are shown to be more appealing than others. You have to keep the HOA in mind when you pick a color, though, or else you might make an expensive mistake. 

One of the easiest infractions for the HOA paint police to spot is the wrong color. Your HOA will likely have a list of pre-approved colors; usually, this is a neutral home with a contrasting or complementary accent. Trends can adjust slightly through the years, but typically, your neighborhood will look similar now to what it did 10 years ago and what it will be in 10 years. Many HOAs don’t allow bright colors except possibly for the front door, but these usually have to be approved individually. Don’t assume the HOA will make an exception after the job is done if you proceed without permission!

DON’T Wait Until You See Damage

To avoid getting punished by their HOA, homeowners need to be aware of their specific HOA rules for house painting. There is usually a yearly guideline, but any damage will move up the timeline. It’s best to not wait until you see damage, but instead automatically schedule regular exterior painting upkeep, including inspections to catch damage you missed. The last thing you want is for a neighbor to see some minor infraction and then for you to get a warning or fine in the mail!

DON’T Copy Your Neighbor

It can be tempting to assume that you can put off painting until you see your neighbor with painters outside. However, this can be a potential problem for you with your HOA. Just because homes were built at the same time does not necessarily mean maintenance needs will stay the same, especially through use. Make sure to stay current and ahead with your painting; it’s very common for HOA rules to require repainting every 7-8 years even if your home doesn’t “NEED” it yet. 

You also don’t want to copy your neighbor’s paint color. HOAs approve color schemes individually; if your neighbor just repainted their home white, even if there are multiple white shades approved by the HOA, you probably won’t be able to use one. This is because, most of the time, HOAs want a uniformly appealing neighborhood rather than a completely identical one. It’s always best to work with your HOA so you don’t have to pay the consequences. 

DON’T Think the Same Rules Apply Everywhere

Another big mistake is assuming everything will be the same if you move. Even neighborhoods that are right next to each other and look generally the same can have completely different HOA rules, and you don’t want to be caught off guard. 

DO Consult Professionals

Breaking HOA rules can be costly. Local construction and home improvement professionals are likely to be familiar with the area—including climate, trends, and your neighborhood’s regulations—so it’s a good idea to have their expert guidance to prevent mistakes and violations. Residential painting contractors can help you choose the right color, assess damage, and more, all while ensuring your home complies with HOA rules. Our best tip: leave your projects to the pros to avoid the HOA paint police!