What are CC&Rs?

The CC&Rs, sometimes called the declaration, are recorded with the county and run with the land: whoever owns a home in the community is bound by them. They typically cover what owners may do with their property, architectural standards, who maintains what, and every owner's obligation to pay assessments.

They sit near the top of an association's rules. State law comes first, then the recorded CC&Rs, then the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, and finally the rules and regulations the board adopts. A board rule that conflicts with the CC&Rs generally doesn't hold.

Amending CC&Rs usually takes an owner vote at a threshold the document itself sets, often a supermajority, followed by recording the amendment.

Free resource: HOA violation letter template.