- Fast Scheduling Available - Call Today
Approved palettes, ARB submission timelines, and management contacts for 20 of Northeast Florida’s most established communities — built from 25 years of submissions, not guesswork.
New to the ARB process?
This page covers approved color direction for 20 specific communities. For the complete framework, see our complete Guide to HOA Painting in Jacksonville. Already know your colors? Read what to include in your HOA paint submission packet.
Most Jacksonville HOA communities require written ARB or ARC approval before changing exterior paint colors. Homeowners usually need to submit the body color, trim color, door and accent colors, manufacturer name, color codes, sheen, LRV (when required), photos, samples, and a clear description of where each color will be applied. Approval timelines vary by community, but plan for 30–45 days before scheduling exterior painting.
Need help choosing HOA-safe colors? A New Leaf Painting can help prepare the paint details your HOA may request — see our submission packet guide or schedule a free estimate.
In 25 years of painting homes across Northeast Florida, we’ve watched it happen more than once. A homeowner picks a color they love, hires a painter, the job looks beautiful — and three weeks later a violation letter arrives in the mail. The HOA orders the home repainted at the homeowner’s expense, sometimes with daily fines accruing until it’s done.
Almost every gated and master-planned community in Jacksonville requires written architectural approval before you can change your exterior paint color. Many require it even if you’re repainting the same color, because the existing color may have faded enough that the new paint won’t match what’s on file. The submission process isn’t optional, and “I didn’t know” is not an accepted defense.
A Marsh Landing homeowner painted their stucco a soft sage green in 2023 without submitting to the ARB. The HOA cited them, demanded repainting in an approved neutral within 60 days, and the homeowner paid for the job twice — about $11,000 total — because the original painter wasn’t licensed and walked away from the do-over. The lesson isn’t “HOAs are strict.” The lesson is: verify color approval before the first gallon is opened.
This guide gives you what you need before you pick a color: who manages the architectural review for 20 of Jacksonville’s largest communities, how their submission processes actually work, and which colors consistently get approved across Northeast Florida HOAs. For the broader framework — the ARB submission process, the 2024 Florida transparency law, and Sherwin-Williams versus Benjamin Moore product specifications — see our complete Guide to HOA Painting in Jacksonville. For everything that goes inside an ARB application, see our complete HOA paint submission packet checklist. We update this page twice a year because management companies change.
The single biggest cause of HOA color rejection isn’t a wild color choice — it’s a small detail missed before submission. Run through this list before you mail or upload anything.
Every HOA in this guide has its own forms and timeline, but the underlying color-approval process is the same across every Northeast Florida community we’ve worked in. Follow these five steps and your approval rate goes up dramatically. For the deep-dive 7-step framework with the 2024 Florida HOA transparency law explained, see our complete HOA painting guide. For the exact components your application packet needs, see our submission packet checklist.
Find your specific subassociation’s CC&Rs and ARB guidelines. Master association rules are not the same as your sub-HOA’s. Look for the approved color palette — many communities maintain a binder.
Most HOAs use an Architectural Review Board (ARB) or Architectural Control Committee (ACC) form. Download from the community website or request from the management company.
Physical paint chips, manufacturer name, color number, and LRV (Light Reflectance Value). Body, trim, accent, and front door colors should each be specified separately. Our submission packet guide covers what every component should include.
Most ARBs review submissions every 2–4 weeks. Build 30–45 days into your project plan. Some communities (Marsh Landing, Sawgrass) meet on fixed schedules — miss the deadline and you wait two more weeks.
Verbal approval doesn’t count. Get it in writing, save the email, and keep the approval letter with your closing documents. If you ever sell, the next owner will need it.
If your painter isn’t asking about HOA color approval before quoting, that’s a red flag. Any contractor who has worked in Jacksonville for more than a few years has navigated dozens of these submissions and should know exactly what your community requires. We can provide the product specs, color codes, LRV data, and prep details your application needs — the homeowner submits it, but you shouldn’t be guessing at the technical fields. See our color consultation service if you want help selecting from your community’s approved palette, or read our submission packet guide for a full component-by-component walkthrough.
Most homeowners hire on price and hope for the best. In an HOA-governed community, that’s a financial gamble — if the painter cuts corners on prep, product, or paperwork, you’re the one paying twice. Here’s the short list of what every reputable Jacksonville painting contractor should hand you before you sign anything.
If your painter pushes back on any of these, get a second quote.
Before drilling into specific colors and communities, here’s the high-level pattern across the 20 communities we’ve worked in. Each color family has different acceptance ranges depending on architecture, roof color, and adjacent homes. Use this as your first filter.
| Color Family | Usually Safe For | Often Risky For | Florida Climate Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm whites | Trim, body in coastal communities | Very bright body colors (glare-prone) | Can glare in direct sun if too stark |
| Soft beige & tan | Body color in most communities | None if on the approved palette | Commonly accepted in stucco communities |
| Greige | Body, trim, garage doors | Too cool/blue in traditional communities | Works well with gray roofs and neutral stone |
| Light gray | Body in newer communities | Older Mediterranean neighborhoods | Can read blue in Florida sun — test on wall |
| Coastal blue & green | Doors, shutters, accent walls | Full body color in strict HOAs | Often safer as accent than body color |
| Charcoal & black | Doors, shutters, limited trim | Main body color (HOA & climate) | Heat absorption accelerates paint failure |
Across 25 years of submissions, we’ve seen patterns in which colors clear ARB review easily and which trigger questions or rejection. This is a generalized framework — your specific community’s rules always come first — but it’s a useful starting filter.
Warm whites, soft tans, light greige, muted beige, warm gray, soft taupe. These are the workhorse colors of Northeast Florida HOAs — they coordinate with most roofs, most architecture, and most adjacent homes.
Cool gray, coastal blue, muted green, darker taupe, clay or terracotta accents. Approval depends on architecture (Mediterranean homes have wider terra cotta tolerance), roof color, and what neighbors already use.
Black or charcoal main body, dark navy body, bright white body in older communities, saturated blues or greens, modern high-contrast black-and-white schemes. These can work — but usually as door, shutter, or accent colors.
The communities below are organized geographically. Each card lists the management company, ARB contact, typical approved palette direction, our field-tested note, and the next step we recommend specifically for that community. Phone numbers and websites change — verify before submitting.
Mediterranean, traditional, and coastal estate homes — mostly stucco. Strict architectural standards.
Typical approved palette~1,900 units across 30+ neighborhoods. Mediterranean, traditional, contemporary — varies by sub-HOA.
Typical approved palette1,409 homes east of A1A through to the Atlantic. Older estate inventory — stucco, wood, mixed.
Typical approved paletteBundled equity-membership community. Estate homes, mostly stucco and Mediterranean architecture.
Typical approved paletteMix of older beach cottages, mid-century homes, and newer construction. HOA varies by neighborhood.
Typical approved paletteIncludes Freedom Landing, Heritage Trace, Liberty Cove. Coastal cottage and Florida vernacular architecture.
Typical approved paletteIncludes Twenty Mile Central, West, Pointe, Village. Coastal Florida architecture.
Typical approved paletteFamily-oriented community within Nocatee. Mix of builder homes, coastal vernacular.
Typical approved palette55+ active adult community within Nocatee. Single-story coastal homes, well-maintained palette.
Typical approved palette5,800+ homes across 47 neighborhoods. Traditional Florida architecture, mature tree canopy. Heavy Hardie Board fiber cement.
Typical approved paletteSpanish/Mediterranean architecture. Stucco-dominant, tile roofs, terra cotta accents. Coordinated streetscape.
Typical approved paletteMultiple master-planned communities. Traditional Florida, transitional, and contemporary architecture across sub-HOAs.
Typical approved paletteRiverfront master-planned community. Mix of coastal cottage, traditional, transitional architecture.
Typical approved paletteMaster-planned community with golf course. 3 master HOAs + 5 sub-associations. Traditional Florida architecture.
Typical approved paletteSub-association within Eagle Harbor. Single-family homes, traditional Florida architecture.
Typical approved paletteMaster-planned with golf course. Multiple sub-HOAs across single-family, patio homes, condos.
Typical approved paletteLarge master-planned community with multiple villages. Mix of traditional and transitional architecture.
Typical approved palettePrivate gated, equity-membership country club community. Estate homes — mostly stucco, traditional and Mediterranean.
Typical approved palettePrivate gated golf community. Estate homes, mostly Mediterranean, traditional, and transitional architecture.
Typical approved paletteLong-established estate community. Mature tree canopy, mix of traditional, contemporary, Mediterranean architecture.
Typical approved paletteGated luxury community. Custom estate homes, contemporary and traditional architecture.
Typical approved paletteEstablished gated golf community. Mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, mature landscaping.
Typical approved paletteHistoric district with COA process. Bungalows, Mediterranean revivals, mid-century homes. Period-appropriate palettes required.
Typical approved paletteThe cards above give you the full submission framework for each community. The table below is the speed-dial version: management contact, submission method, and the 2026 color direction we’re seeing approved in each neighborhood.
Before you submit: Management companies and ARB processes change. Always call the number listed to confirm the current submission method and color requirements for your specific subassociation before mailing or emailing your application. For everything that should be inside your packet, see our submission packet checklist.
| Neighborhood | Management Company | Contact Phone | ARB / ARC Submission | 2026 Color Trends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nocatee | FirstService Residential | (904) 940-6044 | Use Nocatee Residents portal | Warm Off-Whites (Alabaster) |
| Ponte Vedra Beach | Vesta Property Services | (904) 747-0181 | Physical board review required | Coastal Sage & Navy Accents |
| Queens Harbour | Inframark | (904) 436-4113 | Must match canal-view specs | Earthy Terracottas & Creams |
| Deerwood | Deerwood Improvement Assoc. | (904) 641-7448 | Email: deerwoodinfo@yahoo.com | Stately Greiges & Black Trim |
| Glen Kernan | The PARC Group | (904) 992-9750 | Clubhouse ARB coordinator | Neutral Stucco & Cedar Tones |
| Sawgrass Country Club | Sawgrass Association | (904) 686-7552 | info@sawgrassassociation.com | Weathered Blues & Driftwood |
| Marsh Landing | Marsh Landing Mgmt. Co. | (904) 273-3033 | 4200 Marsh Landing Blvd | High-Reflective Whites |
| Julington Creek | JCP CDD / Inframark | (904) 230-2011 | Field Office submittal | Muted Taupes & Warm Stone |
| Seven Pines | RealManage | (866) 473-2573 | SevenPinesIslandHOA.com | Modern Grays & Matte Black |
| Palencia | Vesta Property Services | (904) 810-0520 | Palencia Club Dr. office | Mediterranean Gold & Tan |
| Epping Forest | Yacht Club Office | (904) 739-7200 | Historic preservation specs | Classic Colonial White / Cream |
| RiverTown | Vesta Property Services | (904) 531-9035 | RiverTownResidents.com | Coastal Green & Sandstone |
| Eagle Harbor | Paraclete Services | (904) 278-0616 | Fleming Island office | Traditional Beiges & Browns |
| OakLeaf | OakLeaf Residents Club | (904) 644-0105 | Phase 1 / Phase 2 distinctions | Warm Neutrals & Brick Trim |
| San Marco | Historic District Council | (904) 396-4734 | COA application required | Historic Jewel Tones & White |
| Ortega Forest | Private Association | N/A | Review deed restrictions | Estate Creams & Dark Shutters |
| Avondale | Riverside Avondale Preservation | (904) 389-2449 | RAP Design Review Committee | Period-Correct Pastel Hues |
| eTown | The PARC Group | (904) 559-1330 | etownjax.com portal | Tech-Modern Whites & Grays |
| Cimarrone | Artemis Lifestyles | (407) 705-2190 | Golf course view limits | Warm Linen & Bronze Accents |
| Amelia Island | Omni / Club Management | (904) 261-6161 | Resort ARB guidelines | Coastal Whites & Soft Blues |
These specific Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore colors clear ARB review in the vast majority of Northeast Florida communities we’ve worked in. They’re not guarantees — every HOA has its own rules — but if you’re picking a starting point, start here. For why LRV (Light Reflectance Value) matters in Florida’s UV environment, see the LRV section in our complete HOA painting guide.
All twelve are available in Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior, Duration Exterior, or Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior — the three premium products we specify on every Northeast Florida exterior project.
The same colors as the panel above, in plain text form for easy reference and copy-paste into your ARB application:
These are examples of HOA-friendly color families, not guaranteed approvals. Always confirm your community’s approved palette before submitting.
Across 25 years of submissions in Northeast Florida HOAs, these are the color choices we see questioned, sent back for revision, or rejected outright most often. None of them is “banned” — but each typically needs more justification, sample boards, or community-specific exceptions to clear ARB.
Short answer: in many Jacksonville HOAs, yes. Even if you’re repainting the same color, your HOA may still require written approval so there’s a current record of the color, product, and project. Since exterior paint fades over time, the fresh version of the “same” color may look noticeably different from the aged paint on your home — and that mismatch can trigger a violation even though you used the “same” color.
The safe path is a one-line written request: “Repainting in [color name and code], same as existing.” Most HOAs approve same-color repaints within a week with no fuss when the request is documented. Skipping the request is what creates the risk.
Need help documenting a same-color repaint? We can provide manufacturer codes, sheen, product details, and prep specs for your HOA submission so the request takes 5 minutes to fill out instead of an hour of guesswork.
Read the submission packet checklist →We focused this guide on the 20 communities we work in most often. There are nearly 100 more in Northeast Florida. If yours isn’t here, the playbook is simple:
Plan for 30 to 45 days, end-to-end. Some communities are faster — well-run sub-HOAs with active ARB committees can turn around an approval in two weeks. Others (Marsh Landing, The Plantation, Sawgrass) review on fixed schedules and you may wait up to six weeks if you miss a meeting deadline.
The single biggest delay is incomplete submissions. Submit the form, the physical color samples, the manufacturer information, and the LRV all at once. A second-round request slows everything by another 14–30 days. For the complete component-by-component checklist of what belongs in a submission packet, see our submission packet guide.
Sometimes, yes. Many HOAs maintain an approved list plus a rule against same-color adjacency — meaning if your immediate neighbor or the home directly across the street already uses that color, you can be denied even though the color itself is on the list. Crosswater at Nocatee enforces this explicitly.
Submit a backup choice with your application. It saves a full review cycle if your first choice gets rejected for adjacency reasons.
You receive a violation letter. Most HOAs give 30–60 days to come into compliance, which means submitting an after-the-fact application or repainting in an approved color. If you don’t respond, fines start accruing — typically $25 to $100 per day, depending on the community.
If fines aren’t paid, the HOA can place a lien on your home. We’ve seen liens prevent home sales until the violation is cured. The total cost of “skipping” approval almost always exceeds the cost of doing it right the first time.
“Banned” is too strong. “Heavily restricted” is closer. Most Jacksonville HOAs allow dark accent colors on shutters, doors, and trim — black, deep navy, charcoal, espresso. What’s typically restricted is using dark colors on the main body of the home.
Beyond HOA rules, there’s a Florida-climate reason to be cautious with dark body colors: a south-facing dark stucco wall can hit 150°F+ in July sun, which accelerates paint failure significantly. Most premium exterior paints — Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura — are formulated for darker colors, but the HOA rule and the climate reality both push the same direction. The LRV section of our pillar guide explains the durability science in detail.
Officially, the homeowner is responsible — the HOA has no contractual relationship with your painter. The submission, signatures, and ownership verification all sit with you.
That said, most experienced Jacksonville painting contractors can provide the technical information you’ll need on the form: product specs, exact color codes, LRV data, sheen levels, and prep details. Those fields trip up most homeowners and lead to second-round requests. We’ll give you everything you need in one packet — read our submission packet guide for the full component-by-component breakdown. You stay the submitter, we handle the spec details.
Color chips are tiny squares lit by office fluorescents. They will not look the same on your home in 2 PM Florida sunlight. Always paint a 24″ × 24″ sample directly on the wall — or a large sample board mounted to the wall — and view it at 9 AM, noon, and 5 PM, on multiple sides of the house.
Most ARBs require a sample-on-wall step before final approval. That requirement is for your benefit. A color that looks soft warm beige on the chip can read pink-orange on a south-facing stucco wall in July afternoon sun.
Keep every piece of correspondence. When you sell, the buyer’s lender and title company will request HOA estoppel letters confirming the home is in compliance. If the title search reveals any unresolved exterior modification — including paint — closing can be delayed until it’s documented or cured.
File your ARB approval letter with the rest of your home documents. It’s a small piece of paper that prevents major closing-day headaches years later.
Yes. As part of every estimate in HOA-governed communities, we provide a one-page document with everything most ARBs ask about: product manufacturer and line, sheen, color name and code, LRV, prep scope, application method, and warranty terms. You attach it to your submission. The homeowner stays the submitter — we handle the spec details so you’re not guessing at technical fields.
For the full component breakdown of what should go in your packet, see our HOA paint submission packet checklist.
This guide is based on A New Leaf Painting’s 25 years of exterior painting experience across Northeast Florida HOA communities, public HOA and management company resources, homeowner submission requirements shared during our estimates, and periodic manual updates. Every community card has been verified within the last six months.
Because HOA contacts and ARB rules change, homeowners should always confirm final requirements with their management company before submitting any application. If you find a contact or process detail that has changed, call us at (904) 615-6599 and we’ll update the page.
The right next step depends on where you are in your project. Pick the path that matches your situation:
Find your community card above and confirm the management contact, then call to verify the current process before submitting.
Path 2Browse our full Jacksonville HOA Directory — nearly 100 communities organized by region with verified contacts.
Path 3Read the submission packet checklist — every component your ARB application should include, ready to assemble.
Path 4Schedule a color consultation or exterior painting estimate. We’ll help you select from your community’s approved palette.
Path 5Bring the notice to your free estimate. We’ll review the citation, confirm the corrective scope, and document everything for your HOA response.
We’ve painted in Marsh Landing, Sawgrass, Nocatee, Julington Creek, Eagle Harbor, and most of the other communities in this guide — many of them more than once. We know the products, the prep standards, and the workmanship details that hold up to your HOA’s expectations and your neighbors’ eyes. Free estimates include color confirmation against your community’s typical palette.
