If you live in a community governed by a homeowners association or own a condominium in the Tampa Bay area, exterior painting is not simply a matter of choosing a color you love. It is a process that involves approval, documentation, and — if not handled correctly — the potential for fines, mandatory repainting, and neighbor disputes that can linger for years.
At Bayshore Remodels, we have worked with dozens of HOA communities and condo associations across Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. Here is what every homeowner should understand before picking up a paintbrush or calling a contractor.
Your HOA Governing Documents Are the Starting Point
Every HOA has a set of governing documents — typically called the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) — that specify what exterior modifications require approval and what the approval process looks like. For exterior painting, most associations require you to submit a written request with the proposed color (including the manufacturer name and color code), a description of which surfaces will be painted, and sometimes a sample or swatch.
Exterior painting with Bayshore runs $7,000–$12,000 for most homes. Hairline cracks are caulked and primed as part of the job, and larger stucco repairs typically run $550–$1,500 before paint. Every paint job carries a 2-year warranty against blistering and peeling and a 30-day touch-up visit.
Typical ranges from our recent projects. Your written estimate, built after we see your space, is what your project is priced on.
The approval timeline varies widely. Some associations have an architectural review committee that meets monthly; others have a 30-day review period written into their documents. Starting this process early — ideally 60 to 90 days before you want to paint — gives you the best chance of a smooth experience.
Approved Color Palettes
Many HOAs in the Tampa Bay area maintain an approved color palette — a curated list of acceptable colors from one or more paint manufacturers. If your community has one of these, your color choice must come from this list. Deviating from it, even with a color that looks nearly identical, can result in a rejected application.
If you are not sure whether your community has an approved palette, contact your property management company or HOA board directly. We can also help you navigate this process as part of our painting consultation.
Working with a Licensed Contractor Matters
Many HOAs require that exterior painting be performed by a licensed and insured contractor — not a homeowner doing their own work. This requirement protects the community’s appearance standards and ensures that the work is done to a professional level. When you work with Bayshore Remodels, we can provide all required documentation, including our contractor’s license number, certificate of insurance, and a detailed scope of work for your HOA submission.
Step by step: getting your color approved
- Get the current documents. Ask your management company for the architectural guidelines and the approved color palette. Palettes change, so don’t rely on the one from when you bought the house.
- Pick colors from the palette. Choose the body, trim, door and shutter colors by manufacturer, name and number. A color that looks “close enough” isn’t the same color to a review committee.
- Test in your own light. Paint large swatches on the house and look at them in the morning and the late afternoon before you submit.
- Submit the application. Include the colors, which surfaces get which color, and your contractor’s license and insurance if the association asks for them.
- Wait for written approval. Don’t schedule the work until you have it in writing. Keep a copy with your house records.
- Paint exactly what was approved. If you change your mind on a color halfway through, the new color needs its own approval.
Condo associations work differently
In most condos the association owns and paints the exterior, so your color decisions are mostly inside your unit. Even interior work comes with building rules, though:
- Work hours and noise. Many buildings limit when contractors can work.
- Insurance. Associations often want a certificate of insurance naming the association before anyone starts.
- Elevators and parking. Deliveries and contractor parking may need to be reserved.
- Front doors and balconies. These are often treated as exterior, even though they belong to your unit, so check before you paint them.
What happens if you paint without approval
It depends on your documents, but the usual path is a violation letter, a deadline to repaint in an approved color and, if that’s ignored, fines. Repainting a house you just painted is the most expensive way to do it. A few weeks of patience up front saves you from paying twice.
What we handle for you
- Our contractor’s license (CRC1335471) and certificate of insurance for your submission.
- A written scope of work that lists the surfaces and the colors.
- Paint samples on the house so you can see the colors before you submit.
- Scheduling around your association’s work rules.
Frequently asked questions
How long does HOA color approval take?
Anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, depending on how often your committee meets. Plan for 60 to 90 days between submitting and painting so you’re never rushed.
Do I need approval to repaint the same color?
Many associations don’t require it for the exact same color, but some do. A quick email to your management company before you schedule settles it.
Does the paint brand matter to the HOA?
Some palettes are written for one brand. If yours is, you can ask whether a match in another brand is allowed, but get that answer in writing.
Will you paint my house while the HOA reviews it?
No. We schedule exterior painting once you have written approval.
Ready to start the process? Contact our team and we will help you navigate your HOA requirements from start to finish.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration. © Bayshore Remodels 2026.
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