Planning & Compliance Center


Planning & Compliance is responsible for assisting homeowners with the application process related to residential architectural and landscaping improvements.

Planning & Compliance Office Hours

The Planning & Compliance office is located inside the Canyon Lake POA Administrative Office in the Towne Center Plaza. The Planning & Compliance office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 


Telephone Support

The Planning & Compliance department is offering telephone support Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The department can be reached at 951-244-6841 x320.


Department Responsibilities

This department oversees the enforcement of the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R) and Rules & Regulations which define to all homeowners the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions to home ownership within a common interest development. Daily responsibilities include:

  • Architectural Review
  • CC&R Enforcement
  • Improvements
  • New Construction
  • Permits
  • Weed Abatement

Home Improvement

The Planning and Compliance Department is responsible for assisting homeowners with the application process related to residential architectural and landscaping improvements. Additionally, this department oversees the enforcement of the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) and Rules & Regulations, which all homeowners agree to abide by upon purchasing a property within the community.

Any improvement made on the exterior of your home will require a permit from the Association. Members are responsible for submitting an application and a plot plan of the improvement to the Planning and Compliance Department for Architectural Control Committee (ACC) approval prior to beginning work.

What is the ACC?

The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) was established by the Community’s CC&R’s and its Members are appointed by the Board of Directors. The Committee is assigned Broad powers and responsibilities to review the aesthetics of new projects and changes to existing items. Setbacks, location, elevation, design, landscaping materials and color are all within their purview.

The ACC meets every Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Canyon Lake POA Conference Room.

ACC Review Timeframe

New improvements (adding walls, retaining walls, concrete, additions, etc.) will require a 2 week process as the Association is required to notify the Community one (1) week prior to submitting to the ACC Committee. Most maintenance/repair of items on your property are considered over the counter and of no cost. If information is missing on an application or the improvement is not in compliance with the governing documents, the Committee may reject it. You will need to correct the issues with the application and re-submit to the ACC.

Please contact the Planning & Compliance department at 951-244-6841 Ext. 320 for information on submission deadlines and for guidance on the application process.

New Homeowner Timeframe

During your escrow process, you may have received a letter detailing possible violations and/or unpermitted improvements on the property. If the prior owner did not remedy them by the close of escrow, they will be inherited by the new owners. The good news is we provide an extended timeframe for all new owners. Within this timeframe, you can apply for necessary permits and resolve violations such as weed removal, paint touch-ups on trim, property maintenance, etc. If you need more time, that’s not a problem! You can file for an extension if need be; depending on the violation more time will be given. Contact Planning & Compliance for more information. Additionally, for improvements without ACC approval that are considered a CC&R violation, please contact Planning & Compliance.

Before You Begin Any Improvement

Contact Planning and Compliance before beginning any project to see if a permit is required. Certain types of projects will have to abide by different rules and regulations in regard to location, measurements, and may even require a bond. Upon receiving ACC approval, you may then begin work. If you begin work on any improvement without Committee approval, you may receive a Stop Work Order, a fine for starting work without a permit, or possibly monthly fines.

We highly encourage you to look through the Planning & Compliance section of our Rules & Regulations or contact Planning and Compliance with any further questions.

Need an application? You can download Planning & Compliance documents or contact a Planning & Compliance Associate and they would be happy to email the application to you as well.

Over-the-Counter Permits

There are a number of simple repairs that may qualify for no-cost, Over-the-Counter Permit. Members will still need to complete a permit application and plans, but will receive their permit same-day and can begin work immediately. Please contact Planning & Compliance for details on what type of items would meet the criteria for this type of permit.
 


Meet the Staff

Name Title Email Phone
Cheryl Mitchell Senior Planning & Compliance Manager Email Cheryl Mitchell 951-244-6841 x321
Natalie Torres Planning & Compliance Supervisor Email Natalie Torres 951-244-6841 x324
Shelly Conti Senior Planning & Compliance Inspector Email Shelly Conti 951-244-6841 x327
Erik Solis Planning & Compliance Inspector Email Eric Solis 951-244-6841 x322
Steve Thieke Planning & Compliance Inspector Email Steve Thieke 951-244-6841 x322
Marissa Abitu Planning & Compliance Generalist Email Marissa Abitu 951-244-6841 x328

Helpful Resources

What is the permit process?

Permit Process

Required Approval

The Canyon Lake POA's CC&Rs state that no improvement may be installed, placed or moved on a lot, or altered or modified, without the written approval of the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). Thus a permit is required for any project on the property except softscape and remodeling of the internal approved habitable structure.

There are multiple application forms for the various types of improvements or projects that may take place on a property

Improvement / Project Forms

Committee Review

Completed application forms and application fees (if required), must be submitted to the Planning & Compliance Department. Upon submission, the application will be scheduled for review by the ACC at their weekly meeting, which applicants may attend. Following the committee's review and decision, the applicant will be mailed a written decision.

Additional Information

For questions about the type(s) of application needed for your project please contact the Planning & Compliance department at 951-244-6841 x320.

What are architectural violations?

Architectural Violations

Members may receive violations for not adhering to the Canyon Lake POA Architectural Guidelines as published in the Association's Rules & Regulations. Members can contact the Planning & Compliance Department should they have any questions or concerns.

Once a violation is remedied, please contact the department for an inspection. Members who do not agree with their violation can appeal by providing a letter stating their reasons for an appeal or completing the Architectural Control Committee ("ACC") Appeal Form. The form or letter must be signed by the Prime or Associate Member, then faxed, emailed, or submitted in person to the Planning & Compliance Department.

Paying Fine(s) for Architectural Violation(s)

If you have received a notification regarding a fine(s) for a violation(s) and would like to make a payment, please refer to the PC number (ex: PC.8.9) located on the letter or the name of the violation and chose from the following options:

  • Mail a check or money order made out to Canyon Lake Property Owners Association to:
    31512 Railroad Canyon Road
    Canyon Lake, CA 92587
  • Pay in-person at the Canyon Lake POA Office located at 31512 Railroad Canyon Road in Canyon Lake with a check, money order, or credit card
  • Pay over the phone with a credit or debit card by calling the Member Services Department at 951-244-6841 x310