Asphalt shingle, metal, tile, or flat membrane roofs. Siding (wood, fiber cement, stucco, vinyl). Exterior paint. Soffits and fascia. Gutters and downspouts. Decks and balconies. Railings. Window and door frames in common areas.
DOVER STATION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Operates under the Homeowners Association Act (RCW 64.38) today, with the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (RCW 64.90) applying no later than January 1, 2028. Washington grants HOA assessment liens a 6-month super-priority window over a first mortgage under RCW 64.90.485(9). Registered as a homeowners association in Snohomish County, Washington, in 1987.
Legal Compliance Dashboard — Live Preview
Washington vs. California · 11 requirements tracked
3/11
| Requirement | WA | CA |
|---|---|---|
| RC delivery deadline | 10 calendar days | 10 calendar days |
| RC fee cap | $275 | No cap |
| Lien super-priority | 6 months | No priority |
Reserve study standards in Washington
Statutory requirements, board preparation checklist, the components a professional study covers, and the useful-life ranges that drive thirty-year funding plans. Generic reference. Not a substitute for a study calibrated to a specific association.
- Cadence
- Annual update; professional visual study every 3rd year
- Authority
- RCW 64.90.545(1)
- Scope
- Component register, condition assessment, funding analysis
Washington WUCIOA (RCW 64.90.545(1)) requires the reserve study to be updated annually; at least every third year, the update must be prepared by a reserve study professional and based on a visual site inspection.
Most state regimes also require:
- Annual disclosure of reserve funding status to owners.
- Segregation of reserve funds from operating cash.
- Board approval of the funding plan tied to the most recent study.
A reserve study has three parts:
- Component register — every long-lived asset the association is responsible for maintaining.
- Condition assessment — current age, remaining useful life, observable wear.
- Funding analysis — how much the association must contribute each year so cash is available when components reach end-of-life.
CommunityPay maintains a Reserve Funding Status Report (RSR) generator tied to the live ledger. It is a status report, not a substitute for a professional study with on-site inspection.
What a board should have organized before commissioning a reserve study, and what a study delivers back. Use this list to evaluate whether the association is ready, regardless of state.
- Component register Every asset the association is responsible for maintaining — roofs, asphalt, mechanical systems, plumbing risers, elevators, amenities. Freeze a current version before the study.
- Condition assessments Last inspection reports, photographs, observed wear, recent repairs. The analyst calibrates useful-life estimates against this evidence.
- Useful-life and replacement-cost estimates Per component, calibrated to local climate, construction, and use intensity. A study produces these; the board verifies them.
- Thirty-year capital plan When each component reaches end-of-life and what replacement will cost in nominal dollars at that year.
- Funding plan Percent-funded, threshold, or baseline approach with an explicit annual contribution. The board approves; the study models outcomes.
- Current reserve fund balance Separated from operating cash. Ideally in interest-bearing accounts with FDIC coverage on the full balance.
- Annual budget tied to the funding plan Reserve contribution as an explicit budget line, traceable to the study and the funding policy.
- Most recent reserve study Full study, update, or interim review. Author credentials and date of the most recent on-site inspection.
- Insurance schedule Replacement-cost coverage on insured components. Deductibles that may draw against reserves in a loss.
- Board minutes referencing reserve decisions Special assessments, deferred maintenance, funding-policy changes, scope deviations from the study.
Categories most reserve studies cover. The specific components depend on the association. High-rise condos track far more than single-family HOAs. Gated communities track infrastructure that condos never see.
HVAC chillers and cooling towers. Boilers and water heaters. Ventilation. Pumps. Fire suppression and sprinkler systems. Emergency generators. Elevators — cabs, controllers, jacks, and modernizations.
Parking lots: seal coat, overlay, full reconstruction. Concrete sidewalks and curbs. Site lighting. Storm drainage. Retaining walls. Fencing. Entry gates and signage.
Main water lines and risers. Sanitary and storm sewer lines. Backflow preventers. Common-area electrical panels and switchgear. Transformer pads. Distribution.
Pools, spas, and pool equipment. Clubhouse interiors. Fitness rooms. Playgrounds. Tennis and pickleball courts. Mailbox kiosks. Trash enclosures and dumpster pads.
Fire alarm panels. Emergency lighting. Smoke detectors in common areas. Fire-rated doors. Structural fireproofing. Sprinkler heads and inspection-required components.
A mid-size HOA typically tracks thirty to eighty components. A high-rise condo tracks two hundred or more. The categories above are illustrative. A professional reserve study identifies the components a specific association is responsible for.
Typical useful-life ranges for components common in reserve studies. Industry averages, not specific to any state, climate, or association. A professional study calibrates these to local conditions, construction quality, maintenance practice, and use intensity.
| Component | Typical useful life |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle roof | 20–25 years |
| Metal roof | 40–50 years |
| Tile or slate roof | 50+ years |
| Flat membrane roof (TPO/EPDM) | 15–25 years |
| Wood siding | 20–30 years |
| Fiber cement siding | 30–50 years |
| Stucco | 50+ years |
| Exterior paint cycle | 7–10 years |
| Gutters and downspouts | 20–30 years |
| Wood deck, pressure-treated | 15–20 years |
| Composite deck | 25–30 years |
| Asphalt parking — seal coat | 3–5 years |
| Asphalt parking — overlay | 12–15 years |
| Asphalt parking — reconstruction | 25–30 years |
| Concrete sidewalks and curbs | 30–50 years |
| Site lighting (poles, fixtures) | 20–30 years |
| Wood fencing | 15–25 years |
| Pool plaster | 10–15 years |
| Pool pump and filter | 7–10 years |
| HVAC rooftop unit | 15–20 years |
| Boiler | 25–30 years |
| Commercial water heater | 10–15 years |
| Fire alarm panel | 20–25 years |
| Elevator cab finishes | 15–20 years |
| Elevator modernization | 25–30 years |
| Carpet, clubhouse | 7–10 years |
| Playground equipment | 10–15 years |
Ranges synthesized from common professional reserve-study references and U.S. building-component literature. Verify against a study performed by a credentialed reserve specialist (RS, PRA, or equivalent) before relying on any figure for funding decisions.
- Reserve Health Check → Free. Inputs reserve balance, annual contribution, building age, and components; returns a grade with the math shown. No signup required to view results.
Meeting requirements in Washington
Statutory floors for owner and board meetings — notice periods, delivery rules, quorum, voting, written consent, and record retention. Generic reference. Specific bylaws or declarations may impose tighter requirements; statutes set the minimum.
- Annual / owner meeting
-
14
days advance notice
RCW 64.90.445(1)(c) - Board meeting
-
14
days advance notice
RCW 64.90.445(2)(f) - Urgent / special meeting
- 7 days minimum notice
- Owner comment period
- 15 minutes minimum at each board meeting
Most state regimes also require:
- Open meetings — board meetings open to all members in good standing; closed executive sessions only for narrow purposes (litigation, personnel, contracts).
- Agenda discipline — the board cannot vote on substantive matters not included in the noticed agenda except in narrow emergency circumstances.
- Annual meeting — at least one owner meeting per year, with notice mailed to the address on record for each owner.
- Quorum thresholds — defined in the declaration or bylaws; statutory default applies when governing documents are silent.
CommunityPay maintains a Board Meeting Packet generator that produces a state-aware agenda, draft minutes template, and compliance checklist for the board pack.
How meeting notice must be delivered, what it must contain, and what defects invalidate the notice. Statutes vary in mechanics; the principles are consistent.
- Delivery method First-class mail or hand-delivery to the address on file with the association is the universal default. Most states permit electronic delivery only with the owner's written consent. A posted notice on a community bulletin board is not, by itself, sufficient.
- Address on file The association is entitled to rely on the address each owner has provided. The owner bears the burden of keeping it current. The board must maintain a registered address list.
- Required content Date, time, location (or remote-access link), and an agenda. Material to be voted on — budget, special assessments, rule changes — must be identified specifically. "Other business" is not a substitute for an item.
- Notice period start The notice period typically runs from the date of mailing or hand-delivery, not the date of receipt. Some states count both the notice date and the meeting date; others exclude one or both. Confirm the rule.
- Remote participation When the association offers remote attendance, the notice must include the access information and any limitations (e.g., audio-only, no chat). Recording rules vary by state.
- Defective notice consequences Material defects invalidate actions taken at the meeting. Minor defects (typo in location, slightly late mailing) may be cured by attendance and waiver. Document the cure in the minutes.
- Emergency notice Statutes typically permit shortened notice for genuine emergencies (imminent physical harm, immediate financial loss). The board must document the emergency basis in the minutes.
Full notice requirements appear in RCW 64.90 and the specific subsections cited in the Requirements tab.
Quorum sets the floor for a valid meeting. Voting mechanics — proxies, ballots, written consent — determine how votes are counted once the quorum is established.
Statute sets the default at 20% of allocated interests unless the governing documents specify a different threshold.
Most states permit proxies for owner meetings. The proxy must be written, dated, and signed; many states require revocation rights and an explicit scope (general or limited). Proxies do not extend to board meetings — directors must vote in person or by permitted remote means.
Action without a meeting requires unanimous written consent in most jurisdictions, though some states permit a lower threshold for narrow categories (uncontested matters, ratification). Document the consent in the corporate records, indexed to the action taken.
Secret-ballot procedures, double-envelope requirements, and inspector-of-elections rules apply in states with comprehensive election statutes. Director elections, recall votes, and assessment increases above a statutory threshold typically require secret-ballot procedure.
Available only when explicitly authorized by the declaration or bylaws. Otherwise straight voting applies — each membership casts one vote per open seat per candidate, with no concentration permitted.
Voting rights may be suspended for delinquent accounts in some jurisdictions. Suspension typically requires due-process notice and an opportunity to cure. Statutes vary; the bylaws must align.
Voting and quorum procedures are codified in RCW 64.90 and applicable subsections. Specific procedures may be modified in the declaration and bylaws within statutory limits.
Minutes are the corporate record of the meeting. Statutes in every state require associations to maintain meeting minutes and make them available to owners on request. Retention periods and access rules vary.
- What minutes must contain Date, time, location. Directors and officers present. Quorum determination. Motions made, seconded, and the vote count. Substantive board actions and adopted resolutions. Executive-session minutes kept separately; the open-session minutes record only that a closed session occurred.
- Retention period Washington requires retention for at least 7 years. Reserve studies, declarations, amendments, and assessments — permanent.
- Owner inspection rights Washington requires the association to respond within 10 days of a written request.
- Approval process Draft minutes are circulated to the board, corrected, and approved at the next regular meeting. Approved minutes become the official record. Corrections after approval require a noted amendment, not silent edits.
- Permanent records Declaration, bylaws, articles of incorporation, rule books, amendments, and the minute book are permanent records. The association cannot dispose of them on any retention schedule.
- Resale disclosure Recent board and owner meeting minutes are typically required attachments to a resale certificate. The standard window is the last 12 months; some statutes extend to 24 months for amendments.
- Executive session Closed-session minutes record matters discussed but typically remain confidential from the general membership. Specific votes taken in closed session may need to be reported in the open-session minutes.
Records retention and inspection rights are codified in RCW 64.90 and related subsections. A records-request response that misses the statutory deadline may expose the association to a per-day penalty.
- Board Meeting Packet Generator → Free. State-aware agenda, minutes template, and compliance checklist exported to a PDF for the board pack. No signup required.
Insurance & risk requirements in Washington
Statutory floors plus the Fannie Mae 1076 and Freddie Mac 476 condo questionnaire fields lenders verify before closing. Generic reference. Specific declarations or bylaws may impose tighter requirements; statutes set the minimum.
- Hazard / property coverage
-
100%
of replacement cost value, project improvements + common elements + residential structures
Fannie Mae B7-3-03 - Comprehensive general liability
-
$1000000
minimum per single occurrence, bodily injury and property damage on common elements
Fannie Mae B7-4-01
- Replacement cost basis — policy must pay to rebuild without depreciation deduction.
- Agreed-amount endorsement — waives the coinsurance penalty when coverage is set to a stated replacement cost.
- Inflation guard endorsement — annual escalation to keep coverage at current rebuild cost.
- Building ordinance or law endorsement — covers the cost gap when current building codes require upgrades during a rebuild.
Statutory citation: RCW 64.90.
- Fidelity / crime bond minimum
-
3
months of aggregate assessments on all units
Fannie Mae B7-4-02
The fidelity / crime policy protects association funds from dishonest or fraudulent acts by anyone handling or responsible for those funds — directors, officers, employees, and the management agent. The HOA or co-op corporation must be the named insured, with premiums paid as a common expense.
- Named covered parties — board, officers, employees, and the management company (when one is engaged).
- Computation basis — months of assessments plus reserve balance, or a percentage of the operating budget, depending on the governing statute.
- Annual renewal — coverage lapses are a common audit finding and trigger lender disqualification.
Statutory citation: RCW 64.90.
- Deductible cap
-
5%
maximum of master policy coverage amount, aggregated across per-peril deductibles
Fannie Mae B7-3-03
Higher deductibles disqualify the project from conforming mortgage originations on every unit. State statutes sometimes codify a tighter cap or require board approval before deductible changes.
Flood insurance is required when any portion of the project sits inside a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Coverage must equal the lesser of the building replacement cost or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maximum, with the balance covered by an excess flood policy.
Statutory citation: RCW 64.90.
Beyond the master property policy, lenders require several distinct coverages and endorsements. Each addresses a specific risk category the master policy alone does not handle.
- Directors & officers (D&O) liability — defends board members against claims arising from governance decisions. Often required by lenders even when not codified by statute.
- Umbrella / excess liability — extends primary liability limits, typically by $1M to $5M, to cover catastrophic claims.
- Workers’ compensation — required when the association directly employs maintenance or management staff.
- Earthquake / windstorm — peril-specific policies in seismic and coastal zones. Lender requirement depends on territory.
- Environmental / pollution — applies when the association operates pools, fuel storage, or other regulated facilities.
Specific statutory provisions seeded for Washington:
- Washington: Insurance coverage description provided to unit owners — RCW 64.34.425 (l)
- Washington: Insurance coverage description and broker/agent contact information — RCW 64.90.640 (l)
Statutory citation: RCW 64.90.
Statutory Obligations — Washington
131 obligations across 10 categories
WA
-
Nonprofit Corporation Act covers formation, governance, mergers, and dissolution
The Nonprofit Corporation Act covers everything from how directors are elected to how the HOA can dissolve. HOA boards rely on this chapter for the corporate-governance machinery their bylaws don't address.RCW 24.03A(chapter)
-
Nonprofit Corporation Act replaced RCW 24.03 effective January 1, 2022
Older WA HOA articles of incorporation reference RCW 24.03. Those references still work, but the operating statute is now RCW 24.03A — the prior chapter is repealed. HOAs amending their articles should update internal references to the new chapter.RCW 24.03A(chapter)
-
Nonprofit Corporation Act applies to every WA nonprofit including HOAs
Most Washington HOAs are nonprofit corporations. That means they are governed by TWO statutes: their HOA-specific law (RCW 64.34, 64.38, or 64.90) AND the Nonprofit Corporation Act. When the two statutes overlap, the HOA-specific law generally controls operational questions; the Nonprofit Corporation Act controls corporate-structure questions.RCW 24.03A(chapter)
-
"Director" is a person designated, elected, or appointed to the board
A person becomes a "director" the moment they are seated on the board, and stops being one when they leave. Fiduciary duties attach for that period — not before, not after.RCW 24.03A.010(11)
-
"Board of directors" is the body ultimately responsible for the corporation
Final governance authority rests with the board as a body — not with any individual director, officer, or manager. Statements made by one director do not bind the HOA unless the board has formally delegated authority.RCW 24.03A.010(3)
-
"Bylaws" are the internal rules of the corporation, separate from the articles
Bylaws are the HOA's internal operating manual — meeting procedures, officer duties, committee structure, voting thresholds. They are separate from the articles of incorporation (which establish the entity) and the declaration / CC&Rs (which run with the land).RCW 24.03A.010(4)
-
"Member" means a person with a right to vote for directors or on a fundamental transaction
An HOA member, in nonprofit-corporation terms, is whoever has a vote in board elections or major decisions. The membership-rights definition is critical — it identifies who has standing to challenge governance actions and trigger meeting and voting rights.RCW 24.03A.010(45)(a)
-
"Voting power" is the current power to vote in director elections or on fundamental transactions
Voting power is measured at the moment of the vote — past or future voting rights don't count. This matters for quorum and majority calculations under both this chapter and the HOA-specific statutes.RCW 24.03A.010(75)
-
HOAs may have any number of directors (one minimum) unless governing documents specify more
Under WA nonprofit law, an HOA could legally operate with a single director — though virtually no HOA bylaws permit that. The HOA's own governing documents typically require 3, 5, or 7 directors, and that requirement is binding.RCW 24.03A.505(1)
-
Public-charity HOAs need at least 3 directors
Some HOAs hold IRS public-charity status (rare but possible for HOAs primarily serving the broader public). Those need at least 3 directors; vacancies are tolerated only briefly while the HOA actively seeks replacements.RCW 24.03A.505(2)
-
Minor directors capped at one-third of board (max 3)
HOAs can have minor directors on the board but not more than one-third (cap at three minors total). Most HOAs are unaffected because their bylaws already require directors to be owners, and most owners are 18+.RCW 24.03A.505(3)
-
Board size may be increased or decreased by article or bylaw amendment
An HOA can resize its board, but only through a formal amendment process — not by a casual board resolution. And a shrink cannot kick out a sitting director mid-term; the smaller size takes effect when terms expire naturally.RCW 24.03A.505(5)
-
Director or officer must offer corporate opportunities to the HOA before personally taking them
If an HOA director learns of a deal that the HOA itself could pursue — for example, a chance to buy adjacent common area at a favorable price, or a maintenance vendor offering an exclusive rate — the director must disclose it to the board first. Taking it personally without offering it to the HOA is a breach of fiduciary duty.RCW 24.03A.620(1)
-
Safe-harbor procedure — director protected if board or members disclaim the opportunity
A director who follows the disclosure procedure correctly — full disclosure to the board, formal disclaimer of HOA interest by the disinterested directors or by member vote — is immune from later challenge. The procedure is the safe harbor.RCW 24.03A.620(1)
-
Usurped corporate opportunities may trigger equitable relief, damages, or other sanctions
If a director takes a corporate opportunity without disclosure, the HOA can sue. Available remedies include making the director hand over any profits earned, imposing a constructive trust on the underlying asset, or recovering damages — plus the personal liability exposure on top.RCW 24.03A.620(2)
-
Dissolution requires filing articles of dissolution with the Secretary of State
The dissolution becomes effective only when the Secretary of State accepts the articles of dissolution filing. Until then, the HOA remains a legal entity with ongoing obligations.RCW 24.03A.910(1)
-
Voluntary dissolution requires board adoption and member approval where members exist
Dissolving a Washington HOA requires two steps: the board first adopts a dissolution plan, then submits it to the owners for a vote. Owners must receive proper notice and the meeting must comply with the same procedures as any other fundamental transaction.RCW 24.03A.910(1)(e)
-
HOA assets must be distributed per the articles or by court order
When an HOA dissolves, creditor claims (vendors, attorneys, unpaid bills) get paid first. Remaining assets go where the articles say — often back to owners proportionally or to a successor entity. If the articles are silent, a court decides distribution.RCW 24.03A.910(1)(i)
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HOA Act governs planned-community associations formed 1995–2018
Planned-community HOAs created between 1995 and mid-2018 are governed by the HOA Act. Condominiums fall under RCW 64.32 or 64.34; newer HOAs fall under WUCIOA.RCW 64.38(chapter)
-
HOA Act core sections cover board governance and assessment liens
The three most-used sections of the HOA Act govern how the board operates, how unpaid assessments become liens, and the HOA's filing obligations with the WA Secretary of State.RCW 64.38(chapter)
-
HOA Act sunsets January 1, 2028 under ESSB 5796
Every Washington HOA currently under the HOA Act must transition to WUCIOA by January 1, 2028. Board members should audit their declaration and bylaws now — provisions inconsistent with WUCIOA will not survive the transition.RCW 64.38(chapter)
-
HOA board members owe a corporate fiduciary standard of care
A Washington HOA director owes the same fiduciary duties as a director of any nonprofit corporation — duty of care, duty of loyalty, business judgment rule — enforceable through the Nonprofit Corporation Act. Personal liability follows where breach is shown.RCW 64.38.025(1)
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Board cannot amend articles, terminate the HOA, or elect directors without owner approval
Some actions are reserved to owners by statute. The board cannot change the articles of incorporation, dissolve the HOA, seat itself, or invent eligibility rules restricting who can serve — these all require an owner vote.RCW 64.38.025(2)
-
Owners may remove a director with or without cause by majority vote at a quorum meeting
Recall of an HOA board member requires (1) a properly noticed meeting, (2) a quorum present, and (3) a majority vote of those present. No "cause" needs to be shown — owners can recall a director simply because they have lost confidence.RCW 64.38.025(5)
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WUCIOA is the unified statute for all Washington common interest communities
WUCIOA is the new master statute for HOAs and condos in Washington. It replaces three separate older statutes with one consistent set of rules. Every community will operate under WUCIOA by 2028.RCW 64.90(chapter)
-
SB 5129 accelerates key WUCIOA provisions to January 1, 2026
Several WUCIOA provisions don't wait for 2028 — SB 5129 made them apply to every Washington HOA and condo starting January 1, 2026. Most notable is the fee-free payment-method requirement, which forces every association to offer at least one way to pay assessments without a third-party processor fee.RCW 64.90(chapter)
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ESSB 5796 extends WUCIOA to all communities by January 1, 2028
By January 1, 2028, every condo and HOA in Washington — no matter how old — must operate under WUCIOA. Boards governing pre-2018 communities need a compliance plan now to identify governing-document provisions inconsistent with WUCIOA.RCW 64.90(chapter)
-
WUCIOA initially applied to communities formed on or after July 1, 2018
When WUCIOA first took effect in 2018, only newly created communities were bound by it. Older condos and HOAs kept operating under their original statutes — until the 2024 transition law changed that.RCW 64.90(chapter)
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WUCIOA boards require at least 3 directors, majority must be unit owners
A WUCIOA HOA must have at least 3 board members, and most of them must be unit owners (not outside professionals). The board cannot be larger than the community itself.RCW 64.90.410(1)
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WUCIOA directors and officers owe corporate fiduciary duties
Board members and officers owe the same fiduciary duties as nonprofit corporation directors — duty of care, duty of loyalty, business judgment rule. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and handled under the chapter 24.06 RCW framework.RCW 64.90.410(1)
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Declarant cannot serve on the board after transition
Once developer control ends and the transition meeting occurs, the developer cannot stay on the board — not as a voting member, not as an ex officio member, not in any capacity. Owner-elected governance is mandatory thereafter.RCW 64.90.410(3)
-
Certain actions reserved to unit owners (declaration amendment, termination, board qualifications)
Some actions require an owner vote — the board cannot make them alone. Major governance changes (amending the declaration, dissolving the community, seating new directors, or imposing eligibility rules on candidates) require owner approval.RCW 64.90.410(4)
-
Committees with board powers require at least 2 board members with exclusive voting authority
An HOA committee can only make binding decisions if at least two board members are on it and they alone hold the voting power. Owner-only committees are advisory — they can recommend, but the board itself must vote on any binding decision.RCW 64.90.410(6)
-
Officers elected by the board unless governing documents say otherwise
By default, board members elect the officers (president, secretary, treasurer) themselves. Owners can elect officers directly only if the declaration or bylaws explicitly provide for that.RCW 64.90.410(7)
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Owners entitled to 15-minute comment period at board meetings
At every board meeting, owners get at least 15 minutes to comment on any association matter. This is a mandatory minimum.RCW 64.90.445(2)(e)
-
14-day advance notice required for board meetings
Your HOA board must notify all owners at least 14 days before any board meeting, or 7 days if the matter is urgent.RCW 64.90.445(2)(f)
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HOAs cannot unreasonably prohibit EV charging station installation
A Washington HOA cannot ban or unreasonably restrict an EV charging station that a unit owner wants to install for personal use on their unit, balcony, parking space, or other area they exclusively control. Limited common-element parking is also fair game.RCW 64.90.513(1)(a)
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Reasonable conditions on EV charging stations are permitted
HOAs CAN require permits, professional electricians, additional insurance, and restoration agreements. What they cannot do is layer those requirements so heavily that installation becomes practically impossible. Reasonableness is the standard.RCW 64.90.513(1)(b)
-
Single-family-home exemption — only the unit owner's consent required
For single-family-home subdivisions where each owner holds fee title to their lot, EV charging installation is purely a property-rights question — the HOA cannot interject itself unless the station crosses into a common element.RCW 64.90.513(1)(c)
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Owner bears installation, maintenance, and removal costs
The owner pays — installation, electricity, upkeep, and any restoration when they sell or remove the station. The HOA does not bear the cost burden, only the prohibition limit.RCW 64.90.513(8)
-
HOAs cannot prohibit heat pump installation
Washington HOAs cannot ban heat pumps. Owners who want to replace gas furnaces or air conditioners with electric heat-pump systems have a statutory right to do so, subject only to reasonable safety and architectural conditions.RCW 64.90.580(1)(a)
-
Reasonable architectural and safety conditions permitted
HOAs CAN require professional installation, sound-rated equipment, screening from view, and placement that doesn't block walkways. What they cannot do is use those requirements to make installation effectively impossible.RCW 64.90.580(1)(b)
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Owner bears installation, operation, and removal costs
Owner pays for everything — equipment, install, electricity, upkeep, and damage restoration. The HOA does not subsidize the conversion.RCW 64.90.580(6)(a)
- Right of first refusal or restraint on free alienability RCW 64.90.640(a)
- Restrictions on unit use, occupancy, lease, or rental RCW 64.90.640(t)
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Governing documents, board policies/procedures/resolutions, meeting minutes (last 12 months), and the most current reserve study
Declaration, organizational documents, rules, all currently-effective board policies/procedures/resolutions, board and association meeting minutes (last 12 months), and the full most current reserve study (expanded by 2026 c 194, effective June 11, 2026 — previously only a summary of the reserve study, without the policies/procedures/resolutions item)RCW 64.90.640(u)
- Age-related occupancy restrictions RCW 64.90.640(w)
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Small-building express warranty substitutes for implied warranties
Builders of small condo buildings (up to 12 units and 4 stories) can swap the default legal warranties for an insurance-backed written warranty. Buyers still get coverage — but from an insurance policy, not the statute's implied warranties.RCW 64.90.675(4)
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Express warranty insurance must cover structural defects for 10 years
The substitute warranty is not unlimited — it must run at least 1 year for workmanship and materials, 2 years for plumbing, electrical, and ductwork, and 10 years for structural defects to load-bearing parts of the building.RCW 64.90.675(4)(c)
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Annual budget ratification — 14–60 day meeting window, no quorum required to ratify
After the board adopts a budget, owners get a summary within 30 days and a meeting 14–60 days later. The budget passes automatically unless a majority of all owners actively reject it. The rejection vote does not require quorum because the default is ratification.RCW 64.38.025(3)
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Rejected budget — prior year's ratified budget continues until new proposal passes
Rejecting a budget does not freeze HOA operations — the previously ratified budget remains in effect until the board proposes another that passes. The HOA does not shut down during a budget impasse.RCW 64.38.025(3)
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WUCIOA dollar amounts track the CPI for urban wage earners
The audit trigger, the resale certificate fee figures, and the small-community exemption in WUCIOA are not fixed dollar amounts — they move with a federal inflation index measured from December 1979.RCW 64.90.065(1)
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adjustments take effect July 1, in 10 percent steps, never below the 2018 amount
When the index moves enough, the dollar figures step up on July 1 in round 10 percent increments. They never step down below what the statute said in 2018.RCW 64.90.065(2)
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Board must distribute proposed budget within 30 days of adoption
After the board adopts a budget, they must send a summary to all owners within 30 days and schedule a meeting to ratify it.RCW 64.90.525(1)(a)
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Budget ratification meeting within 14-50 days of distribution
The budget vote must happen between 14 and 50 days after the summary is sent out. The budget passes unless a majority of all owners vote to reject it.RCW 64.90.525(1)(a)
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A rejected budget, or one whose notice was not given, leaves the last ratified budget in force
A rejected budget does not leave the association without one. The last budget the owners ratified keeps running. Failing to give the notice has the same effect as a rejection.RCW 64.90.525(1)(b)
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RCW 64.90.525(2) fixes six contents every WUCIOA budget must carry
Six items, all of them, in every budget. The list is statutory and the declaration cannot shorten it.RCW 64.90.525(2)
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The budget must show projected income by category
Income is budgeted by category, not as one line.RCW 64.90.525(2)(a)
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The budget must show projected common expenses by category
Expenses are budgeted by category, not as one line.RCW 64.90.525(2)(b)
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Annual financial statement required on accrual basis
Your HOA must prepare a financial statement at least once a year using accrual accounting (recognizing income and expenses when they are earned or owed, not just when cash moves).RCW 64.90.530(1)
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Annual audit required if assessments are $100,000 or more
If your HOA collects $100,000 or more in annual assessments, the financials must be audited every year by a CPA. Smaller HOAs still require an audit, but a majority of non-developer owners can waive it. The $100,000 line moves with inflation under RCW 64.90.065.RCW 64.90.530(2)
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Association funds must be segregated and held in the association's name
Your HOA's money must be held in accounts in the HOA's own name at a real bank or credit union — not mixed with another HOA's funds, not in a property manager's account, not in a personal trust account.RCW 64.90.530(3)
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Managing agent must promptly deposit association funds to association accounts
If a property manager receives HOA funds (dues, fees, etc.), they must deposit the money into the HOA's own account right away — they cannot hold it in their own account.RCW 64.90.530(4)
- Assessments past due over 30 days for any unit (current within 45 days) RCW 64.90.640(c)
- Association monetary obligations past due over 30 days (current within 45 days) RCW 64.90.640(d)
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Prior year annual financial statement including audit report if prepared
Annual financial statement including the most recent financial audit report available (wording amended by 2026 c 194, effective June 11, 2026 — previously the prior-year audit report if prepared)RCW 64.90.640(h)
- Most recent balance sheet and revenue/expense statement RCW 64.90.640(i)
- Current operating budget RCW 64.90.640(j)
- Cooperative accountant statement on tax deductibility RCW 64.90.640(r)
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Associations must offer at least one fee-free payment method
Your HOA must offer at least one way to pay assessments without being charged a processing fee by the payment company.RCW 64.90.480(10)
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Assessment allocation among unit owners
Your HOA assessments are divided among units based on the allocation method specified in the declaration.RCW 64.90.480(3)
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The budget must state the assessment per unit and the date it is due
The budget carries the per-unit figure and the due date on its face. An owner should not have to read a separate schedule to learn either.RCW 64.90.525(2)(c)
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Special assessments require board resolution or owner vote
A special assessment goes through the same steps as a budget. The board proposes it, the owners get it, a meeting is set 14 to 50 days out, and it takes effect unless owners holding a majority of the votes reject it. The board may spread it over installments and may discount paying early.RCW 64.90.525(3)
- Current assessments, delinquent amounts, and special assessments RCW 64.90.640(b)
- Other fees payable to the association by unit owners RCW 64.90.640(e)
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Reserve funding disclosure mandatory in budget materials
Budget materials must transparently show how much is going into reserves now, whether that funding will be sufficient over 30 years, and any future assessment increases already being anticipated by the board.RCW 64.38.025(4)
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The budget must state the regular assessments budgeted for the reserve account
The reserve contribution is a named line in the budget, drawn from regular assessments.RCW 64.90.525(2)(d)
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The budget must say whether a qualifying reserve study exists and how far the budget deviates from it
Two answers. Whether there is a reserve study meeting RCW 64.90.550, and by how much this budget departs from what it recommends. Having no study is an answer the budget must give.RCW 64.90.525(2)(e)
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The budget must state the reserve deficiency or surplus per unit
The reserve gap is stated per unit, which is the figure an owner and a buyer can use.RCW 64.90.525(2)(f)
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Association must conduct periodic reserve study
Your HOA must commission a professional reserve study at least every 3 years. The study identifies what needs future replacement and how much money should be saved for it.RCW 64.90.545(1)
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Reserve study must include component inventory with useful-life data
The reserve study must identify every major component the HOA must eventually replace — roof, siding, paving, HVAC, elevator, plumbing, paint, fencing — and state how long each one was designed to last and how much remaining life it has now.RCW 64.90.550(2)(a)
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Reserve study must include current replacement cost for each component
For every major component, the study must show what it would cost to replace today. The 1%-of-budget threshold filters out trivial items so the study focuses on the large-dollar future obligations.RCW 64.90.550(2)(a)
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Reserve study must state the percent funded as of the study date
The "percent funded" number is the single most important reserve metric — it tells you how much of the theoretical fully-funded balance the HOA actually has on hand today. Below 30% is generally considered weak; above 70% is strong.RCW 64.90.550(2)(e)
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Reserve study must include 30-year cash-flow projection under both funding plans
The study must run two 30-year financial projections — one that funds reserves to 100% of theoretical full funding, and one that funds at a baseline level enough to meet cash needs when components actually fail. The board can choose either path; the projection makes both options visible.RCW 64.90.550(2)(j)
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Reserve study must state the current deficit or surplus per unit
The deficit-per-unit number is what each owner's share would be if the HOA needed to make up the reserve gap today. Buyers and lenders look at this number to gauge future special-assessment risk.RCW 64.90.550(2)(l)
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Reserve study must include mandatory disclosure warning
Every reserve study must carry a built-in disclosure: this study is the best estimate but not a guarantee, and components could fail earlier than predicted, requiring special assessments or HOA borrowing. The warning prevents over-reliance on the study by buyers, lenders, and board members.RCW 64.90.550(3)
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Owners holding twenty percent of votes may demand a reserve study be budgeted
If more than three years have gone by since a professional prepared the last reserve study, owners controlling twenty percent of the votes can send the board a written demand to put the study in next year's budget. The demand has to cite this section. The board must then include the cost in the next budget, and unless owners reject that budget, arrange for the study.RCW 64.90.555(1)
- Expenditures or anticipated repairs exceeding 5% of annual budget, approved by the board RCW 64.90.640(f)
- Whether association has reserve study per RCW 64.90.545 and 64.90.550 RCW 64.90.640(g)
- Disclosure if association has no current reserve study RCW 64.90.640(y)
- Insurance coverage description and broker/agent contact information RCW 64.90.640(l)
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Buyer has 3 business days to rescind after receiving Form 17
After receiving the seller's Form 17, the buyer has a 3-business-day window to cancel the purchase contract without penalty, simply by delivering a written rescission. This is the statutory cooling-off period tied to the disclosure.RCW 64.06.020(1)
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Seller must deliver Form 17 disclosure within 5 business days of mutual acceptance
In every Washington residential resale, the seller must deliver the statutory Form 17 disclosure statement to the buyer within 5 business days of the parties reaching mutual acceptance on the purchase contract. Waiver requires the buyer's express written consent.RCW 64.06.020(1)
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Form 17 covers property condition, systems, title, and HOA information
Form 17 asks about every major property system, title and easement issues, any governing HOA, and environmental conditions the seller knows about. The HOA section is where the seller flags the existence of an association and the buyer's right to a resale certificate.RCW 64.06.020(1)
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Disclosure is based on seller's actual knowledge, not warranty
Form 17 reflects only what the seller actually knows — not what the seller should have discovered. It is a disclosure of facts known, not a guarantee, and signing it does not convert the seller's statements into contract warranties.RCW 64.06.020(3)
- Number of units owned by the declarant and date of transfer of control RCW 64.90.640(n)
- Remaining term of leasehold estate and extension/renewal provisions RCW 64.90.640(p)
- Declaration restrictions on sale proceeds RCW 64.90.640(q)
- Pending sale or encumbrance of common elements RCW 64.90.640(s)
- Qualified warranty coverage and claims history (chapter 64.35 RCW) RCW 64.90.640(v)
- Electric vehicle charging station requirements and associated costs RCW 64.90.640(x)
- Conspicuous notice regarding community membership obligations and financial risks RCW 64.90.640(z)
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Association must maintain and retain specified records
Your HOA must keep financial records, meeting minutes, and governing documents for a set number of years.RCW 64.90.495(1)
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Owners entitled to inspect and copy association records
As an owner, you have the right to review and copy your HOA's records at reasonable times.RCW 64.90.495(2)(a)
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Default quorum is 20 percent of votes at unit owner meetings
At an owner meeting, the default quorum is 20 percent of voting interests unless the bylaws or declaration set a different threshold. Proxy holders, remote participants, and absentee voters all count.RCW 64.90.450(1)
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Board quorum is a majority of voting power
For board meetings, a quorum requires that a majority of board voting power be present at the moment a vote is taken. Bylaws may require more.RCW 64.90.450(2)
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Quorum requirements for unit owner meetings
For owner meetings, 20 percent of ownership interests must be represented (in person or by proxy) unless your governing documents set a different threshold.RCW 64.90.455(2)
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Secret ballot required for director elections and removal
Board elections, removal votes, and governing document amendments must use secret ballots. Sitting directors and candidates cannot count the ballots.RCW 64.90.455(9)
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6-year statute of limitations on written contracts
Legal claims based on written contracts must be filed within 6 years. This includes HOA assessment liens, which courts treat as written contract obligations.RCW 4.16.040(1)
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WLAD prohibits housing discrimination on bases beyond the federal FHA
Washington protects more classes from housing discrimination than federal law does. An HOA rule that would be permissible under the federal Fair Housing Act could still violate WLAD — for example, rules treating same-sex couples differently, or restricting service animals beyond what state law allows.RCW 49.60(chapter)
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WLAD enforced by Human Rights Commission with private right of action
An owner alleging discriminatory enforcement of HOA rules can file with the WA Human Rights Commission OR sue directly in court — they don't have to pick one. Both can result in damages, injunctions, and attorney-fee awards against the HOA.RCW 49.60(chapter)
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Foreclosure mediation available for HOA assessment liens
If your HOA tries to foreclose on your home for unpaid dues, you can request foreclosure mediation to negotiate alternatives.RCW 61.24.163(1)
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Foreclosure Fairness Account funds the Foreclosure Mediation Program
Mediation between a struggling homeowner and a foreclosing lienholder (including an HOA pursuing an assessment lien foreclosure under SB 5686) is funded by a dedicated state account paid for by mortgage origination fees — not by general tax dollars.RCW 61.24.172(1)
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Remaining 33.5% funds hotline, AG enforcement, agency administration, and outreach
The other third of account funds the foreclosure prevention hotline, AG consumer-protection enforcement (catching predatory practices), the agency administering the program, and outreach to inform homeowners they have the right to mediation.RCW 61.24.172(3)
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50% of account funds go to housing counseling for borrowers
Half the account funds free housing counselors who help struggling homeowners navigate foreclosure alternatives — including HOA assessment lien mediation under the expanded SB 5686 program.RCW 61.24.172(3)
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16.5% of account funds legal aid for homeowner representation
Roughly one-sixth of the account pays for free legal aid lawyers to represent homeowners in foreclosure — a critical access-to-justice provision for owners facing HOA assessment lien foreclosure.RCW 61.24.172(3)
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Delinquency notice requirements under HOA Act
Before taking action on unpaid dues, the HOA must send a delinquency notice, then wait and send a second notice.RCW 64.38.100(1)
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HOA Act lien for unpaid assessments
HOAs formed under the old HOA Act (pre-2018) have the same lien rights for unpaid assessments as those under WUCIOA.RCW 64.38.100(2)
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Association has lien on unit for unpaid assessments
If you fall behind on HOA assessments, the association automatically has a lien on your unit from the date payment was due.RCW 64.90.485(1)
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Late fees limited and must be in governing documents
Your HOA can charge late fees on unpaid assessments only if the governing documents allow it and the amount is reasonable.RCW 64.90.485(18)
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Foreclosure requires 3 months or $2,000 minimum threshold
Your HOA cannot foreclose on your home for unpaid dues unless you owe at least 3 months of assessments or $2,000 in unpaid amounts.RCW 64.90.485(22)(a)
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Mandatory meet-and-confer before foreclosure under SB 5686
Before your HOA can foreclose, they must meet with you to discuss alternatives. This mandatory mediation was expanded by SB 5686.RCW 64.90.485(22)(d)
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6-year statute of limitations on assessment lien enforcement
The HOA has 6 years to enforce an assessment lien. After that, the lien becomes unenforceable under the statute of limitations.RCW 64.90.485(9)
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Judgment against the association becomes a lien on each unit proportionally
If a court enters a money judgment against your HOA, that judgment becomes a lien on each unit in proportion to its share of common expenses, not a lien on the common elements themselves.RCW 64.90.490(1)(a)
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A unit owner may pay the unit's portion of a judgment lien to release the unit
As a unit owner you can pay your unit's share of a judgment against the HOA and have your unit released from the lien, even if the association as a whole has not yet satisfied the full judgment.RCW 64.90.490(1)(c)
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Court may order specific performance and award fees for reserve violations
Any unit owner can sue to enforce the reserve study, reserve account, and disclosure requirements. The court can order the association to actually do it and can award fees and costs to whichever side wins.RCW 64.90.555(2)
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Reserve non-compliance does not excuse assessments or void a ratified budget
An owner cannot stop paying assessments because the association skipped its reserve study, and a budget the owners already ratified stays valid even if the reserve requirements were missed.RCW 64.90.555(3)
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No monetary damages for failure to fund reserves, study, or disclose
Boards, officers, the association itself, and anyone who advised them cannot be made to pay damages for skipping a reserve account, a reserve study, or a reserve disclosure. The only money that can change hands is an award of attorneys' fees and costs under RCW 64.90.555(2).RCW 64.90.560
- Notice of violations in seller unit or limited common elements RCW 64.90.640(m)
- Environmental, health, or building code violations RCW 64.90.640(o)
- Unsatisfied judgments against the association and status of pending actions RCW 64.90.640(k)
Reserve Study Deadline — Washington
Annual update; professional visual study every 3rd year
Risk Profile — CARI Score Preview
5 weighted components · Verified score requires consent
Preview
Recent Law Changes — Last 24 Months
4 changes
· 1 directly affects this community
1
Compliance Calendar — Next 12 Months
3 deadlines
Active Legislation — Washington
4 bills
· 4 directly affect this community
4
Court Decisions — Washington Community Association Law
6 appellate decisions interpreting applicable statutes
Lien Priority — Washington
HOA super-priority window: 6 months
6 mo
Records This Community Should Have — Washington
12 record categories required by statute
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Board approval records
Resolutions, written consents, and approval workflow records.Retention: permanentRCW 64.90.495(1)(b)
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Governing documents — CC&Rs, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation
The foundational documents that establish the association and its powers. Required as a permanent record.Retention: permanentRCW 64.90.495(1)(a)
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Meeting minutes — board and member meetings
Official record of board votes, decisions, and member actions.Retention: permanentRCW 64.90.495(1)(b)
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Owner records — names, addresses, contact info
Current owner roster with mailing addresses for statutory notices.Retention: current + reasonable historyRCW 64.90.495(1)(d)
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Annual financial statements
Income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows for each fiscal year.Retention: 7 yearsRCW 64.90.495(1)(c)
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Detailed receipts and expenditures
Itemized records of all income and expenses with supporting documentation.Retention: 7 yearsRCW 64.90.495(1)(c)
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Reserve study
Most recent reserve study or update.Retention: most recent + permanent reference copyRCW 64.90.545
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Tax returns
Federal association tax returns.Retention: 7 yearsIRC §6501
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Tax returns
Federal and state tax returns filed by the association.Retention: 7 yearsRCW 64.90.495(1)(c)
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Tax returns
Federal and state association tax returns.Retention: 7 yearsIRC §6501 + state retention norms
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Insurance policies and claims history
Active insurance policies, prior policies, and claims records.Retention: 7 yearsRCW 64.90.495
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Vendor invoices and contracts
Service contracts, paid invoices, and vendor performance records.Retention: 7 yearsRCW 64.90.495(1)(c)
Registration Details
Homeowners Association · Est. 1987 · Active
Area HOA Fees
Snohomish County median $359/mo
Natural Hazard Exposure
Snohomish County
Relatively High
Applicable Laws
36 Washington statutes
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