Washington, D.C. HOA Laws

Most Washington, D.C. 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 District statutes.

The main statutes are found in the D.C. Official Code. Condominiums are governed by the D.C. Condominium Act (D.C. Code Title 42, Chapter 19), and newer common interest communities may fall under related uniform provisions; cooperatives are governed by the District's cooperative statutes. Associations organized as nonprofits also follow the D.C. Nonprofit Corporation Act (Title 29) for meetings, elections, boards and records. These laws address assessments and liens, required disclosures to buyers, open meetings and notice, access to records, budgets and reserves, and how rules are adopted and enforced.

The District has also strengthened homeowner protections in recent years, including rules on how associations impose and collect assessments, fees and fines and how foreclosures for unpaid assessments may proceed. 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 D.C. housing regulations.

Official and third-party sources: Council of the District of Columbia and D.C. Official Code (code.dccouncil.gov); D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (dlcp.dc.gov). We are happy to point your board to the specific provisions that apply to your community.

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

Assessments and liens: D.C. community associations fund shared expenses through assessments authorized by the declaration and the governing statute. When assessments go unpaid, condominium and community associations may place a lien on the unit or lot and pursue collection, subject to the notice and procedural requirements in the D.C. Code. The District has enacted protections around how assessments, fees and fines are imposed and how any assessment-based foreclosure may proceed, so associations must follow those rules carefully. Owners are entitled to a clear accounting of amounts due.

Disclosures and resale: When condominium units are first sold, developers must provide a public offering statement, and on resale the seller or association provides a resale certificate that discloses assessments, fees, rules, budgets and any pending matters. These disclosures give buyers key information before closing.

Meetings, records, elections and owner rights: The D.C. Condominium Act and the Nonprofit Corporation Act require open meetings, advance notice, and access to association books and records, and 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 District law.