Pennsylvania HOA Laws

Most Pennsylvania community associations are created as nonprofit corporations and governed primarily by their recorded governing documents (the declaration, the bylaws, and any rules and resolutions), together with several state statutes.

Pennsylvania has adopted uniform laws for community associations. Planned communities are governed by the Uniform Planned Community Act (68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 51 and following), and condominiums are governed by the Uniform Condominium Act (68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 31 and following). Cooperatives are covered by the Uniform Condominium and Cooperative provisions as applicable. Because most associations are incorporated as nonprofits, the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988 (Title 15) also applies to matters such as meetings, elections, boards and corporate records.

These acts address key topics such as assessments and liens, required disclosures to buyers (resale certificates), open meetings and notice, access to records, budgets and reserves, and how rules are adopted and enforced. 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 and Pennsylvania's flag-display protections.

Official and third-party sources: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and General Assembly (legis.state.pa.us); Pennsylvania Department of State (dos.pa.gov); HOA-USA Pennsylvania summary (hoa-usa.com/state-laws/pennsylvania).

This overview is general information, not legal advice; consult a Pennsylvania attorney or your association's counsel about how these laws apply to your community.

Assessments and liens: Pennsylvania community associations fund shared expenses through assessments authorized by the declaration and the Uniform Planned Community Act or Uniform Condominium Act. Unpaid assessments can become a statutory lien against the lot or unit, and these acts give a portion of the association's lien limited priority over a prior mortgage. Associations must follow the statute and their documents when charging late fees, interest and reasonable collection costs, and owners are entitled to a proper accounting of what they owe.

Resale certificates and disclosures: Before a resale closes, Pennsylvania law generally requires the association to provide a resale certificate (for condominiums) or a certificate of resale/association disclosure (for planned communities) that summarizes assessments, fees, rules, budgets and any pending matters. This gives buyers important information about the community's finances and obligations.

Meetings, records, elections and owner rights: The uniform acts and the Nonprofit Corporation Law require open meetings, advance notice, and access to association books and records, and they set standards for adopting and enforcing rules and imposing charges for violations. Owners generally have rights to review budgets and financial statements and to participate in elections. Federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act, the FCC OTARD rule on antennas and satellite dishes, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also apply. Your specific rights and procedures depend on your recorded declaration and bylaws read together with state law.