HOA Laws in Washington: What Boards and Homeowners Need to Know

Updated May 2026  ·  est. 8,000+ HOAs in Washington

Overview: How Washington HOA Law Works

Washington updated its HOA law significantly with the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA, RCW § 64.90), enacted in 2018 and effective for communities created after January 1, 2019. The WUCIOA is more comprehensive than the older HOA Act (RCW § 64.38) it will eventually replace, providing updated rules for governance, financial disclosures, reserve funds, elections, and a 6-month super-priority assessment lien over first mortgages. Existing communities can opt into the WUCIOA; the older statute continues to govern communities that have not opted in.

Every HOA in Washington is governed by a combination of state law and its own governing documents - typically the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, and rules and regulations. Where state law and governing documents conflict, state law generally controls. Where state law is silent, the governing documents fill the gap.

Key Washington HOA Laws and Requirements

• Washington's Homeowners' Association Act (RCW § 64.38) governs existing planned community HOAs formed before January 1, 2019, unless the community opts into the newer WUCIOA.
• The Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA, RCW § 64.90) applies to all new common interest communities created after January 1, 2019, and to existing communities that opt in.
• WUCIOA communities must maintain a reserve fund and prepare a reserve study at least every six years, with an update every three years (RCW § 64.90.550).
• Assessment liens have a 6-month super-priority over first mortgages for WUCIOA communities under RCW § 64.90.480; the older HOA Act does not provide equivalent super-priority.
• Under both statutes, HOA board meetings must be open to members with limited executive session exceptions; the WUCIOA has more detailed open meeting requirements.
• Washington condominium associations are separately governed by the Washington Condominium Act (RCW § 64.34) unless they opt into the WUCIOA.
• Washington has no dedicated state agency for HOA dispute resolution; homeowners must use internal procedures or file in Washington superior court.
• HOA managers in Washington are not required to hold a state-issued community association management license.

What Washington Homeowners Have a Right To

Regardless of what any individual HOA's governing documents say, Washington homeowners in HOA communities generally have the right to:

• Access financial records and meeting minutes (within timeframes set by state law or governing documents)
• Receive notice before fines are imposed and an opportunity to be heard
• Attend board meetings (with limited exceptions for executive sessions)
• Inspect and receive copies of the community's governing documents
• Vote in board elections and on major community decisions
• Receive proper notice before assessments are collected by lien or legal action

Assessment Collection in Washington

When a homeowner fails to pay assessments in Washington, the HOA's typical collection process follows these steps:

1. Written notice of delinquency sent to the homeowner
2. Late fees applied after the grace period specified in governing documents (or as set by state law)
3. Lien filed against the property after notice and applicable cure period
4. If unpaid, the HOA may pursue legal action or foreclosure per Washington law and the governing documents

Washington's specific procedures, notice periods, and lien priority rules are set by Washington Homeowners' Association Act (RCW § 64.38) and Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (RCW § 64.90) and the association's governing documents. Boards should consult legal counsel before initiating collection actions.

Fines and Enforcement

Most Washington HOAs can impose fines for rule violations, but procedural requirements must be followed. In general:

• The homeowner must receive written notice of the alleged violation
• There must be an opportunity to cure the violation or be heard before a fine is imposed
• Fine amounts must be established in the community's schedule of fines (typically in the rules and regulations)
• Fines may be collected as assessments and, if unpaid, can become part of an assessment lien

How Software Helps Washington Boards Stay Compliant

The procedural requirements under Washington HOA law - notice before fines, member record access, financial transparency - are exactly what good HOA software automates:

• Violation notices are timestamped and logged automatically, creating the audit trail Washington law requires
• Payment history is visible to residents in their portal, satisfying member record access rights
• Financial reports can be generated and shared with members on demand
• Document storage keeps governing documents accessible to all members at any time

Frequently Asked Questions: HOA Law in Washington

What is Washington's WUCIOA and how does it differ from the older HOA Act?

The Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA, RCW § 64.90) was enacted in 2018 and applies to all new common interest communities created after January 1, 2019. It is more comprehensive than the older Washington Homeowners' Association Act (RCW § 64.38) and Washington Condominium Act (RCW § 64.34), providing updated rules for governance, financial disclosures, reserve funds, elections, and dispute resolution. Existing communities can opt into the WUCIOA; eventually, the older statutes will be phased out.

Does Washington require HOAs to maintain reserve funds?

Yes, for communities subject to the WUCIOA. Under RCW § 64.90.550, WUCIOA communities must maintain a reserve fund and prepare a reserve study at least every six years, with an update every three years. Communities still under the older Washington HOA Act (RCW § 64.38) have less prescriptive reserve fund requirements, with reserve funding details largely governed by the association's governing documents.

Can Washington HOA members attend board meetings?

Yes. Under both the older Washington Homeowners' Association Act (RCW § 64.38.035) and the newer WUCIOA (RCW § 64.90.410), HOA board meetings must be open to members with certain limited exceptions for executive session topics such as pending litigation, personnel matters, and contract negotiations. Notice requirements and the specific open meeting rules depend on which statute governs the community.

Do Washington HOAs have super-priority assessment liens?

WUCIOA communities have a 6-month super-priority lien over first mortgages under RCW § 64.90.480. Communities still governed by the older Washington Homeowners' Association Act (RCW § 64.38) do not have the same statutory super-priority. This distinction is important for lenders and buyers when evaluating Washington HOA properties, as the applicable statute depends on when the community was created or whether it has opted into the WUCIOA.

How do Washington HOA disputes get resolved?

Washington has no dedicated state agency for HOA dispute resolution. Homeowners with complaints must use whatever internal dispute resolution procedures appear in their governing documents, pursue mediation or arbitration if available, or file a civil lawsuit in Washington superior court. An attorney familiar with Washington's HOA statutes (both the older HOA Act and the newer WUCIOA) can advise on the best approach.