How to File an ARC with Your HOA So That They Can Reject It

In five days, the HOA is going to fine me $1000 which, per a previous email, they already did. They also already sent it to their attorney, Mankin Law. Mankin Law, who is already intimately familiar with me [and not in a good way], told me to comply with the HOA by submitting an ARC. The HOA will be fining me because my roof remains tarped due to the storms we had in 2024: Debbie, Helene, and Milton.

Although most people talk about the devastation of Milton, my home was affected by all three storms. I have moderate exterior and interior damage. I don’t have the money to get a roof replacement and I have not gotten the other things repaired either. The reason I don’t have the money is because of the HOA’s lien and foreclosure on “my house”. We will get to that part later. My story actually begins there (with the lien and foreclosure). But I am telling the end of it because it is directly in the present.

ARC stands for Architectural….blah…..blah…I don’t remember. Homeowners are supposed to submit an ARC when they make modifications to the structure of their homes. Sure. Of course. Cool. What I did not know was that a tarp was one of those modifications.

I had a tarp put over my whole house not directly after the storms but the following year when, one day, the rainy season left me in utter shock with a wet upstairs and downstairs. And per the HOA, a tarp put on after the storms [and Presidential declaration] required a different standard. But it was me who told them when I put on the tarp. They initially believed that I had it on my roof since fall 2024. And were prepared to fine me based on that.

So, after Mankin Law threatened me, I went online to submit the ARC. Here are the instructions:

Instructions for completing the ARC Modification Request Form

The Vista Palms ARC requests that all required documentation be submitted at the time of the modification request.

1. Please provide all required information.

2. Give the complete homeowner name and address of the home for which the modifications are being requested. Please make note if the owner’s mailing address is different from the home address where the modifications are being requested.

3. Complete the entire application, sign and date the form.

4. This architectural request must be accompanied by the following documents if it relates to your request, exterior paint changes require you to attach picture(s) of the color & paint specifications for the body, trim and accents of the home. You must provide the specifications along with color photo(s) which must include the paint brand and specification number or I.D. (painting does not require the Plot plan or elevation documents):

  • Plot plan (official survey of lot) –Please show the improvement (i.e. deck, fence, landscaping, parking pad, garden, addition, etc.) and its relationship/distance to property lines, easements, open space, drainage ditches, neighboring homes, etc.
  • Elevation – or “head on” view, as would be seen in a photograph. The elevation drawing should show height, width, distance above finished grade and details of the proposed request. Be specific in order to expedite the architectural review process.
  • Photographs or brochure pictures should be submitted along with this request when available. (i.e. picture of play set, storm door, style of fence or shed)
  • Any necessary permits and building code information obtained with the County Building Inspection Department.

5. Any necessary permits and building code information obtained with the County Building Inspection Department.

6. Please remember to attach all required pictures and documents. Applications that have been completed that do not include all the required pictures and documents will not be approved until all required documents have been provided.

As you can read, it talks about improving the home. I was not “improving” my home. My house already had a roof. My roof was damaged and I was providing a temporary solution which was required by my homeowners insurance or else they would deny future interior damage claims. The ARC continues:

ARC Application & Modification Details

Please Note: No project may be started until you receive approval for your request from the Architectural Review Committee.

This architectural request must be accompanied by the following documents if it relates to your request, exterior paint changes require you to attache pictures of the paint color & paint specifications for the body, trim and accents of the home. You must provide the paint specifications along with the color photo(s) which must include the paint brand and specification number or I.D. (painting does not require the Plot plan or elevation documents):

1). Plot plan (official survey of lot) –Please show the improvement (i.e. deck, fence, landscaping, parking pad, garden, addition, etc.) and its relationship/distance to property lines, easements, open space, drainage ditches, neighboring homes, etc.

2.) Elevation – or “head on” view, as would be seen in a photograph. The elevation drawing should show height, width, distance above finished grade and details of the proposed request. Be specific in order to expedite the architectural review process.

3.) Photographs or brochure pictures should be submitted along with this request when available. (i.e. picture of play set, storm door, style of fence or shed)

Please Note:

1. The Architectural Committee will handle the review of your plans as quickly as possible, but allow for thirty

(30) days.

2. Please keep in mind: The Committee reviews plans and specifications as to style, exterior design, appearance and location and does not approve engineering design or compliance with zoning or building ordinances.

3. All improvements must commence and be completed within 90 days of the approval or approval will be revoked and you will be required to resubmit your request.

More nonsense not related to my roof tarp issue. But I submitted the claim. However, I did not include all of the details needed, nor did I respond in time. So they rejected it. Oops. I started a new job that week and got sick like never before. I was terribly ill for two weeks straight. And time got the best of me.

History

  • Hello, The board needs to know approximately how much longer the tarp is going to stay up and when the roof will be repaired before moving forward with reviewing this request.

Management 12/03/2025 02:34 pm * Declined due to no response from owner.

Management 12/18/2025 11:21 am

I did submit another claim with the required details though…