Making Improvements—HOA Review & Approvals Made Easy
- Jun 21
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Are you planning to build a fence, add a shed, update landscaping, or take on an exterior home improvement project in the West Winds subdivision this year? We’re thrilled you’re investing in your property—but before you start your project, there’s one essential step: submit your West Winds HOA online Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Review Application.
Before you dig, pour, paint, install, plant, or build -> Submit Your ACC Review Application
Per Article XI (Section 11.4) and Article XII of the West Winds Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions CC&Rs, all exterior improvements, new construction, and landscaping projects must receive prior written approval from the West Winds HOA Board/ACC. This helps keep our neighborhood cohesive, attractive, and compliant with City of Bozeman regulations.
What Needs ACC Approval?
In short, nearly anything that changes on the outside of your home or building. This includes (but isn’t limited to):
Fences or gates
Detached structures like storage sheds or greenhouses
Landscaping including plantings, trees, plant beds, hardscapes, and irrigation systems
Patios, decks, pergolas, or porch additions
Driveways, sidewalks, or added parking pads
Solar panels
Exterior remodels, additions, or new paint colors
New Construction
Backup generators
Air conditioning units
Submitting your application helps avoid future violations or costly removals and protects the architectural integrity of the entire neighborhood.
TIP: Even small upgrades may require review. A quick application helps you avoid costly delays or non-compliance.
Repaint, Reroof, Replace: When You Need ACC Approval — and When You Don't
One of the most common questions we hear from West Winds owners is some version of: "Do I have to file an ACC application just to fix up my own house?"
The short answer: routine maintenance and like-for-like repair do not require an ACC application. You do not need our sign-off to keep your home in good shape. What does require prior written approval is a change — anything that alters how your property looks or what it's made of.
Here's how to tell the difference.
You do NOT need to apply for ACC approval to maintain or repair
The governing documents draw a clear line. CC&Rs §11.3(d) states that the architectural approval process "shall not be construed as changing any rights or restrictions upon Owners to maintain or repair their Lots." In plain terms: keeping what you already have in good condition is your right, and the ACC process was never meant to slow that down.
No application is needed when you are simply restoring an existing, previously-approved feature to its original condition — same color, same material, same size, same location. For example:
Repainting your house or fence the same color it already is
Reroofing with the same type and color of shingle
Replacing a worn fence panel, board, or section with the same material and design as the existing fence
Replacing a broken window or garage door with one that matches what was there
Repairing or replacing trim, siding sections, gutters, or hardware like-for-like
Routine landscaping upkeep — mowing, weeding, trimming, and replacing dead plants in kind
If the work puts things back the way they were, it's maintenance. Maintain away.
You DO need prior written ACC approval before you change anything
CC&Rs §11.4(a) is equally clear at the other end: no improvement may be "constructed, erected, placed, planted, applied or installed" on a Lot until plans have been submitted to and approved in writing by the ACC (and, where applicable, the City of Bozeman) first.
The trigger is change — any change to color, material, scale, location, or scope. A repair becomes a project requiring an application the moment it stops matching what was there. For example:
Repainting your house or fence a different color
Reroofing in a different material, style, or color
Replacing a fence with one of a different height, material, or design
Swapping a feature for something larger, different, or in a new spot
Adding anything new — a shed, deck, patio, solar panels, a fence where there wasn't one, new landscaping features
When in doubt, the test is simple: Am I restoring, or am I changing? Restoring is maintenance. Changing needs an application first.
A few practical notes
Apply before the work begins. Approval is required up front, not after the fact. Starting unapproved work — even something you'd expect to be approved — can turn a routine improvement into a violation.
City requirements are separate. Some projects need a City of Bozeman permit regardless of ACC review. HOA approval does not substitute for City approval, and vice versa.
Not sure which side of the line you're on? Ask us first. A quick question is always easier than unwinding completed work. ACC review information is available at westwindshoabozeman.org/acc-review.
Maintaining your home keeps West Winds looking its best, and we want that to be easy. The ACC process exists for changes to the community's shared appearance,
not for the ordinary upkeep that's already your right and responsibility as an owner.
Why It Matters
The Board's/ACC’s job is to help ensure all West Winds lot improvements:
Comply with HOA design standards and CC&Rs
Harmonize with the neighborhood’s look and feel
Align with the City of Bozeman building codes and ordinances
Help maintain and protect your home’s value—and your neighbors’
What Happens If You Don’t Get ACC Approval?
Skipping ACC review might seem faster - but it can cost you much more in time, money, and frustration. Under Article XI, Section 11.8 of the West Winds CC&Rs, the HOA has enforcement rights if unapproved improvements are made, including:
Written violation notices
Fines or penalties (as set forth by the Board or governing documents)
Legal action or mediation requirements
Mandatory removal or restoration of the unapproved structure or improvement at the owner’s expense
Suspension of member privileges (e.g., voting or common area use)
In some cases, projects have been required to be revised or completely removed, even after they have been substantially completed.
Don’t risk it—submit your application first.
Don’t risk it—submit your application first. The ACC is here to help your project succeed by ensuring it meets West Winds HOA standards and aligns with the City of Bozeman Code of Ordinances.
The Application is Online (and Easy!)
We’ve streamlined the process—your ACC Review Application is now fully online.
Just gather and be prepared to submit a complete application, including but not limited to:
Project description
Site plan (bird’s-eye view of your Lot)
Sketches or elevations
Material and color list
Neighbor Notification Form (if applicable)
Your signature
Application Fee (see below)
WHAT "COMPLETE" MEANS: An application is "complete" only when it includes all required documentation and information and the review fee has been paid. Missing, omitted, incomplete, or insufficient materials will delay the review or require you to submit revisions or supplemental documents. False or misleading information is grounds for rejection of the application.
ACC REVIEW TIMELINE (CC&Rs §11.4(h)): Incomplete applications or missing documentation will delay or void the review process. After the HOA ACC/Board of Directors receives a complete ACC Review Application, including receipt of your review fee payment, the Committee aims to provide approval, conditional approval, or disapproval in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt. This 30-day target applies to your initial submission as well as to any subsequent revised, supplemented, modified, or amended materials. Additional review and response time (more than 30 days) is often required during peak demand periods. Please note that ACC silence is not approval — under §11.4(h), the Committee's failure to respond within the 30-day period is not a waiver of its authority, and no work may begin until written approval is obtained, regardless of how much time has passed. Any approval is valid for one year from the date of the determination; work not commenced and completed within that period requires reapplication. We appreciate your patience and ask that you plan accordingly.
TIP: Avoid review and decision delays and/or additional administrative or ACC Consultant fees by submitting a complete, compliant, and comprehensive application the first time. Additional review fees and project decision delays occur if you are required to amend, modify, or resubmit your application documents or diagrams to earn ACC approval.
Reminder: Incomplete applications or missing fee payment(s) will delay the review and approval process.
What Does It Cost?
Every project type includes an application fee that consists of a minimum $100 HOA administrative fee + an initial ACC Consultant Fee (if applicable).
Examples of application fees:
Fence, Shed, or Solar Panels: $250
Home Addition: $450
New Home Construction: $750
Other Basic, Complex, or Multi-Part Projects: Custom-quoted
Review fees are charged to an owner via PayHOA. The initial application fee payment is required before the review begins. If incurred, any additional administrative fees or consultant expense reimbursements are charged to the owner and must be paid before the ACC can issue its final decision.
Important Reminder
Please note that ACC review and approval may be delayed or deferred if there are any existing unapproved improvements, unresolved violations, or compliance issues associated with the Lot at the time an application is submitted. In such cases, the Association may require that outstanding matters be corrected or brought into compliance before the ACC completes its review of new proposed improvements.
Stay Compliant. Protect Property Values. Build with Confidence.
Enhancing your property is exciting - but doing it right avoids costly penalties and ensures lasting quality and value for everyone in West Winds.
Before you dig, pour, paint, install, plant, or build -> submit your ACC application. You’ll find the application form and CC&Rs on the HOA's website:
The content provided in this blog/news story is intended for informational purposes only. It is designed to offer a simplified and reader-friendly overview of pertinent sections of the West Wind HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as the relevant city of Bozeman regulations, ordinances, or laws. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this content should not be considered a substitute for the actual governing documents, applicable city laws, ordinances, or legal advice. Homeowners and residents are advised to consult the full, legally binding governing documents and city regulations or seek professional legal counsel for official reference or legal purposes.
