Your HOA's own documents decide whether a new garage door needs approval, and a city permit is a separate question. Arizona law says an architectural committee must not unreasonably withhold approval of designs, and an owner can petition the Department of Real Estate over a dispute. Read your declaration and design guidelines before you order.
Check your declaration and any design guidelines. They set which exterior changes need approval, and a new door that changes the color, style, windows or panel pattern is the kind of change many communities review. Repairing a spring, cable or opener leaves the look of the door unchanged and does not normally need a design review, but read your documents to be sure.
Rules vary by community. We cannot tell you what yours says, so ask the HOA manager or read the guidelines before you choose a door.
Arizona law limits that. The Arizona planned communities statute on design review says approval of a construction project's architectural designs, plans and amendments shall not unreasonably be withheld. The same section says a design review committee must include at least one board member as its chairperson.
That does not mean any door must be approved. It means a refusal should rest on the community's documents and be reasonable.
No. The HOA reviews how the door looks. The city decides whether work needs a building permit. The City of Phoenix lists new homes, remodels and garage conversions as permit work and does not name garage door replacement on its residential page, and the City of Flagstaff's permit page also does not name garage doors.
Ask your city or town building department. Do not assume that HOA approval covers the permit or the other way around.
| Question | Who decides | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Does the new door's look need approval? | Your HOA, under its documents | Read the declaration and guidelines, then submit a request if required |
| Is the approval unreasonably refused? | Arizona law and, in a dispute, the Department of Real Estate | Ask for the reason in writing |
| Does the work need a permit? | Your city or town | Call the building department before work starts |
| Is the contractor allowed to do the work? | Arizona Registrar of Contractors rules | Check the contractor before you sign |
Rules differ by community and by city.
New garage doors come in many styles, so decide the design first and then ask the HOA, rather than ordering a door and hoping.
Ask for the decision and the reason in writing. Under A.R.S. 32-2199.01 an owner or an association may petition the Department of Real Estate for a hearing about violations of planned community documents or of the statutes that govern them, and the respondent must answer within twenty days. The department does not hear disputes between owners, or with the company that built the community.
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Arizona, including Gilbert, Glendale and Peoria. Call or send your details, and we can give a quote with the model and finish listed for your request.
It depends on your community's declaration and design guidelines. Many communities review changes to the look of the door, so check before you order.
The Arizona planned communities statute on design review says approval of architectural designs, plans and amendments shall not unreasonably be withheld.
An owner or association may petition the Arizona Department of Real Estate for a hearing under A.R.S. 32-2199.01. Disputes between owners are not covered.
No. The HOA reviews the design and the city decides on permits. Ask your building department.
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
Call (602) 730-9866 or send your details for the soonest visit.