All exterior modifications to your home requires approval from your neighborhood/district HOA or CVCA.  This includes, but is not limited to, painting your home or front door, adding a porch or lanai, adding a fence, building any kind of shade structure or pergola or building a pool.  For landscaping, there are some instances where approval may not be required.  Replacing dead plants or adding plants to an existing bed does not require approval.  However, larger projects such as adding trees or significantly changing the footprint of your current landscaping beds do require approval.  It is best to always check with your management company first - before you purchase project supplies or do any work outside your home.  Otherwise, the expense to remove or change your modification can be a very costly mistake.