If your home is in a homeowners association, a roof replacement usually needs two separate yes answers: one from the HOA and one from your city. Most HOAs want a written application before work starts, and Texas law limits a few things an HOA can block. Here is what to submit, what Texas law says, and what to do after a no, so your roof replacement is not held up.
Does HOA need to know about roof replacement?
Usually, yes. The deed restrictions or architectural guidelines usually list the roof as an exterior change that needs written approval before work starts. Some documents treat a same-color, same-style replacement differently from a change, and some do not. Read the roof sections of your own documents to know.
Your HOA’s rules live in two places. The declaration (often called the CC&Rs or deed restrictions) is recorded with the county. Many associations also publish separate architectural or design guidelines with the details: approved materials, color lists, and the application form. If you do not have current copies, ask your management company or board for them in writing.
When you read them, look for three things: if a roof replacement needs approval, what the committee wants to see, and how long it says review takes. Write those down before you collect estimates. It is much easier to pick a shingle the committee will accept than to argue for one after you sign.
Can my HOA stop me from installing impact resistant shingles?
Not outright. Texas Property Code Section 202.011 says an HOA cannot block shingles designed mainly to resist wind and hail, to be more energy efficient, or to generate solar power. The shingles must still resemble approved shingles, be more durable and of equal or better quality, and match nearby homes.
The full text is short and worth reading yourself: Texas Property Code Chapter 202, Section 202.011. It has been in place since June 17, 2011. Here is how it splits the decision.
| What Section 202.011 covers | What it does not take away from the HOA |
|---|---|
| Shingles designed primarily to be wind and hail resistant | The shingle must resemble the shingles used or authorized in the subdivision |
| Shingles designed for better heating and cooling efficiency than customary composite shingles | It must be more durable than, and of equal or superior quality to, those shingles |
| Shingles designed to generate solar power | Once installed, it must match the look of the surrounding properties |
Two practical points. First, the law is about shingles, so it does not settle questions about metal, tile or other materials. Second, some guides online describe this section as covering fire-resistant materials. The statute text does not say that. It names the three shingle types in the table and nothing else. If you plan to rely on it, attach the manufacturer’s spec sheet showing the product’s rating and a photo or sample showing it matches the look of approved shingles. This post explains what the statute says. It is not legal advice, and a real dispute is a question for a Texas real estate attorney.
Can my HOA make me choose a specific shingle color?
Usually, yes. Texas law limits which shingle types an HOA can block, but it leaves appearance rules in place. A protected shingle still has to resemble approved shingles and match the surrounding homes. So if your guidelines list approved colors or a required look, plan on choosing from that list.
Many color lists name a product line and color together, for example a brand’s dimensional shingle in a named gray or brown. If the exact product is discontinued or you want a different brand, ask the committee if an equal product in a matching color is acceptable, and put the question and its answer in writing.
What should go in an HOA roof application?
A complete package avoids a round of back and forth. Most committees want the official form, photos of the current roof, the roofer’s written scope, the exact product and color name, the manufacturer’s spec sheet or a sample, and the contractor’s details. Check your form for extras.
- The HOA’s own application form, filled in completely and signed
- Photos of the current roof from the ground, from more than one side of the house
- The roofer’s written scope: tear-off or not, materials, and a planned start window
- Exact product line and color name, plus the manufacturer’s spec sheet or color sample
- The roofing company’s name, contact details and proof of insurance if your HOA asks for it
- Anything your guidelines list that is not above, such as a site plan or dumpster location
Your roofer should hand you, or the committee, the shingle manufacturer, product line, color name and spec sheet. If they can’t, that’s a red flag. Check your own HOA’s architectural guidelines to see which items need approval, and list each one your form asks for.
Keep a dated copy of everything you send and ask for written confirmation that it arrived. If you are still comparing roofers, our guide to choosing a DFW roofing contractor covers what a written bid should spell out.
Before you send anything to your committee, it helps to know what your roof actually needs. Cedar Crest Roofing handles roof replacement and offers a free estimate. Send us your address, and we will follow up about your free estimate.
Can work start while approval is pending?
Plan on no. Most HOA documents say work waits for written approval, and some say you may have to undo unapproved work. Wait for the written approval and check that it names the product and color you plan to install. A verbal okay from a board member is not enough.
A storm can complicate this. If wind or hail leaves an active leak, temporary protection is a different job from a full replacement. Check how your documents handle emergency repairs, have a roofer protect the home, and submit the replacement application as soon as you can.
If your HOA requires approval for roof work, a storm replacement needs it too. From our own jobs: a storm replacement still needs approval, even if the new roof matches the old one.
What can I do if my HOA denies my roof application?
Read the written denial first. Under Texas Property Code Section 209.00505, the denial notice must explain the reason in reasonable detail and list changes needed for approval. You can then ask for a hearing before the board, but you must ask by the 30th day after the notice was mailed.
The details are in Texas Property Code Chapter 209, Section 209.00505, as amended in 2025. In plain terms:
- It applies to associations with more than 40 lots. It does not apply while the developer controls the architectural committee or can veto its decisions.
- The denial must come by certified mail, hand delivery or electronic delivery.
- If you request a hearing, the board must hold it no later than 30 days after getting your request and give you at least 10 days’ notice of the date.
- Either side can ask for a postponement of up to 10 days, more only if both sides agree, and either side may record the hearing.
- The board can affirm, change or reverse the committee’s decision.
Some websites say Texas law approves an application automatically if the HOA does not answer in a set number of days. The current text of Section 209.00505 on the Texas Legislature’s statutes site does not set an automatic approval deadline, so do not count on one. Ask your HOA in writing how long its review takes. Often the simplest fix is to resubmit with the change the denial asks for, such as a color from the approved list.
From our own jobs: applications usually get sent back for one of three reasons. Check your package against each one before you submit or resubmit:
- A color that isn’t on the community’s approved list
- A shingle product or profile the guidelines don’t allow
- Missing paperwork, such as no spec sheet, color sample or contractor info
Do you need a permit for a new roof in Texas?
In Dallas, yes, for a full replacement. The city says replacing large areas of a roof or an entire roof requires a re-roof permit, while minor roof or vent repairs do not. Other Texas cities set their own rules. HOA approval and a city permit are separate approvals.
The City of Dallas lays this out on its storm damage repair information page. Its Building Inspection FAQ also notes that historic and conservation districts have special requirements for exterior work. Other North Texas cities set their own rules, so check with your city’s building inspection or permit office, or ask your roofer who pulls the permit and when the final inspection happens.
What does a roofer do while you wait on the HOA?
A roofer’s part comes before and after the committee meets. Before, it is an inspection and a written scope you can attach. After approval, it is ordering the approved product, pulling any city permit, and scheduling the work. Tear-off should wait for written HOA approval and any required city permit.
If you are not sure a full replacement is needed, a roof inspection gives you photos and a condition report to start from. Don’t let anyone start tear-off until you have written HOA approval and the city permit in hand (where your city requires one). They’re two separate approvals, and you need both.
Sources checked October 31, 2026: Texas Property Code Sections 202.011 and 209.00505 on the Texas Legislature’s statutes site, and the City of Dallas storm damage repair information page and Building Inspection FAQ.
Planning a new roof in an HOA neighborhood
An HOA roof application starts with knowing what your roof needs. We handle roof replacement and offer a free estimate. Reach out and we will follow up with you about next steps.