hoa_holly

In our HOA, any exterior electrical installation requires a board variance request — 60-day notice period, neighbor notification, formal vote. The technical install takes a day. The board approval takes 3 months. Check your CC&Rs before you buy anything. Three members have been surprised by this timeline in the past year.

HOA angle in Texas: even with a city permit, my exterior electrical variance requirement adds 60–90 days and a formal board vote. Three solar installs have gone through my board this year. The technical install is the easy part. If you're in a governed community, start the board approval process before you buy anything.

Three variance requests for mini-split outdoor units so far this year — it's always the line-set penetration through the exterior wall that triggers our aesthetic review committee. If you're in a governed community, photograph your unit placement from the street and submit it with the variance request up front.