Rancho Murieta is a master-planned community governed by the Rancho Murieta Community Services District and the Rancho Murieta Association. The Association includes an Architectural Committee that reviews proposed exterior changes to homes within the community. If your project involves anything visible from the street, common areas, or neighboring properties, you need committee approval before work begins. Starting without it can result in a mandatory stop-work order, fines, and a requirement to restore the property to its original condition at your expense.

ADC has worked on projects in Rancho Murieta and neighboring planned communities in Sacramento County. The committee process is manageable with the right submittal package and timeline expectations. Here is what you need to know.

What Requires HOA Architectural Review

The Rancho Murieta Association’s Design Standards govern exterior modifications. Work that requires committee approval includes:

• Exterior paint color changes, the Association maintains an approved color palette; deviating from it requires advance approval
• Roofing replacement, material type and color must be approved, particularly for tile-to-composition changes or vice versa
• New windows and doors, size changes and style changes visible from the exterior require review
• Deck and patio additions, any new structure attached to or adjacent to the home
• Room additions and second stories, all new construction that changes the home’s footprint or height
• ADU and JADU construction, both attached and detached ADUs
• Fence installation or replacement, height, material, and location relative to easements
• Hardscape additions, driveway extensions, retaining walls, and front yard hardscape
• Solar panel installation, location and visibility from the street

Interior remodels that do not change the exterior appearance of the home do not require HOA approval. A complete kitchen gut, bathroom renovation, or interior flooring project with no exterior component can proceed with only Sacramento County permits.

The Architectural Committee Submittal Process

Step 1: Obtain the Current Design Standards

The Rancho Murieta Association’s Design Standards document defines approved materials, colors, setback requirements, and the level of detail required for submittal packages. The current version is available through the Association’s management office. ADC obtains the current standards at the start of any Rancho Murieta project with an exterior component.

Step 2: Prepare the Submittal Package

A complete submittal typically includes:

• Completed application form (available from the Association)
• Site plan showing the location of proposed work relative to property lines and existing structures
• Drawings or plans showing the proposed changes in sufficient detail for the committee to evaluate
• Material specifications and samples (roofing material, siding, paint color chips)
• Photos of the current condition of the area to be modified
• Contractor license information if a licensed contractor is performing the work

Incomplete submittals are the primary cause of delays. The committee reviews what is submitted and cannot approve what is not clearly shown. ADC prepares the submittal package for all exterior projects as part of the contract scope.

Step 3: Submit and Wait

The Architectural Committee meets on a regular schedule. Submittal deadlines typically fall one to two weeks before each meeting. Review timelines after the meeting are generally 30 to 45 days for straightforward applications. More complex projects involving variances from the Design Standards may require additional review cycles. Building the committee timeline into the overall project schedule is critical. ADC accounts for this during the project planning phase so the permit application and committee review proceed in parallel where possible.

Step 4: Address Conditions of Approval

The committee may approve a project with conditions: specific material substitutions, color adjustments, setback modifications, or other requirements. Conditions must be addressed before work begins. ADC reviews conditions with the homeowner and confirms the project scope reflects the approved plan before mobilization.

What Happens If You Skip the HOA Review

The Rancho Murieta Association has enforcement authority. Homeowners who begin exterior modifications without committee approval face fines, mandatory restoration orders, and potential liens on the property. Sacramento County’s building permit and the HOA’s architectural approval are separate processes, and having a county permit does not satisfy the HOA requirement. Both must be in place before work begins.

ADC does not start exterior work in Rancho Murieta without confirmed HOA approval. The cost of a stop-work order and restoration far exceeds the timeline of proper advance review.

ADU Approval in Rancho Murieta

California’s SB 9 ADU law limits HOA authority to impose design standards that effectively preclude ADU construction, but the Association can still review and require compliance with standards that are consistent with state law. The practical effect is that Rancho Murieta ADU projects require both committee review and confirmation that the committee’s conditions comply with California ADU law. ADC is familiar with the intersection of SB 9 preemption and HOA authority in Sacramento County communities. For more on new construction and ADU projects in Rancho Murieta, see ADC’s Rancho Murieta new construction page.

Frequently Asked Questions