Ohio community associations are governed primarily by their recorded governing documents (declaration, bylaws, and rules) together with several state statutes, depending on the type of community.
Condominiums are governed by the Ohio Condominium Property Act (Ohio Revised Code Title 53, Chapter 5311), which addresses creation of condominiums, unit owners' associations, common elements, assessments, liens, and required disclosures. Planned communities (non-condominium homeowners associations) are governed by the Ohio Planned Community Act (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5312), which sets baseline rules for planned-community owners associations, including powers, assessments, and enforcement. Because most associations are incorporated as nonprofit corporations, Ohio's Nonprofit Corporation Law (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1702) also applies to governance matters such as membership, boards, meetings, and records.
Federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act, the FCC OTARD rule on satellite dishes and antennas, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also apply, along with local ordinances.
Official and third-party sources: Ohio Revised Code is published by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission at codes.ohio.gov, and business/nonprofit filings are handled by the Ohio Secretary of State at ohiosos.gov. A helpful third-party summary is available at hoa-usa.com/state-laws/ohio.
This overview is general information, not legal advice; consult an Ohio attorney or your association's counsel about how these laws apply to your community.
