Stop by and "Approved House Paint Colors" binder from the Clubhouse (you can check it out for 24 hours). You'll find a tremendous selection of pre-approved colors for the main, exterior (body) color of your home, plus other trim colors and colors for your entry door, too. All of the color choices in the binder have been pre-approved by the Board. Just make your selection from the options presented, fill out and submit an application, and your painting project should be on its way soon afterward!
Please refer to section 6.1 of the Architectural & Landscape Manual for all of the details on exterior painting.

A new roof typically means replacement of the shingles (and only asphalt shingles are allowed in the Highlands), and perhaps some of the underlying sheathing, moisture barrier, flashing and related materials. There are shingle colors that have been pre-approved by the ALC; just check out the sample boards in the Clubhouse.
You'll definitely need to submit an Architectural or Landscape Project Application for this project — but when you choose a pre-approved color for your shingles, the approval of your application is virtually guaranteed.

The street trees throughout the Highlands have been planted to help beautify our Community, and to improve the quality of life for all of the residents and visitors. Beyond those important points, though, street trees are also required by Washington County.
The street trees in the Highlands are the property of the Highlands — not of the individual homeowners. The cost of planting, maintaining and (if necessary) replacing sick or problematic trees is paid for out of the HOA's Reserve Fund. As such, the Highlands Architecture & Landscape Committee (ALC) has the responsibility for pruning those trees to keep them safe and out of the way of pedestrians on the sidewalks and of vehicles in driveways and in the streets. The Highlands ALC has hired an arborist to maintain those trees, including doing the pruning (as necessary). If a homeowner feels that a street tree needs a bit of attention, then an Application should be submitted to the ALC for consideration.
Homeowners do have the responsibility for watering your street tree(s) — especially during those dry summer months!
Under no circumstances should a Highlands homeowner prune a street tree. If a street tree becomes diseased, or is causing damage to sidewalks, driveways or other structures, the ALC will arrange for inspection of the tree and associated damage. If necessary, the ALC will work with the arborist to remove and replace the tree(s), with expenses covered by the ALC. If a homeowner wishes to remove (or relocate) a street tree that is not diseased and is not causing any damage, that expense will be borne by the homeowner — and a replacement street tree must be planted, also at the homeowner's expense. Please review section 7.4 of the Architectural & Landscape Manual for all of the details regarding street trees.
Please submit an application for any planned work involving trees in your front yard.

A landscaping project is a wonderful way to freshen up the outside of your home. Beautiful flowers in the spring and summer, seasonal color in the blossoms and foliage of shrubs and trees — these changing characters around your home not only make YOU feel good, but they're usually beneficial to insects, birds and other animals in the neighborhood, too.
A homeowner usually has plenty of options for making changes in the gardens around their home. Still, it's not a bad idea to discuss your plans with your neighbors, prepare an application, and get the approval of the ALC.

Fences are great for providing not only privacy, but also protection. Fences in the Highlands can be constructed of cedar, treated wood, brick or vinyl (as described in Section 6.8 of the Architectural & Landscape Manual). Fences also cannot exceed 6' in height above the ground, nor can they extend beyond the front-most corner of your home, or go beyond the side property line. Fences between homes should also follow the "Good Neighbor" design philosophy; the "good" side should always face towards the neighbor or adjacent property.
A new or replacement fence is another type of project that needs an application.

A new garage door can really freshen up the look of your house, especially combined with other updates (such as new lighting, etc). Garage doors with windows are perfectly okay, too. The color of your new garage door must atcha the main, body color of your home (as stated in section 6.04 of the Architectural & Landscape Manual).
Please submit an application for this kind of renovation.
Similarly, changes to patios, patio covers, gutters and downspouts, walkways and steps are usually very desirable and even necessary updates to a home. They're usually also visible from the neighboring homes, from sidewalks, and from pathways. It's usually a good idea to submit an application for all of these sorts of renovations!

Go ahead and do whatever you like inside your own home. No one else has to see it except for you!!
No application is necessary for your interior remodeling projects.