What are HOA Governing Documents?

1. CC&Rs

The CC&Rs (also known as the HOA Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) is a document that is signed by each homeowner upon entering into a contract with an HOA. The document is legally binding and is filed with the state in which the home is purchased. In most cases, the CC&Rs is considered the primary document of homeowner’s associations.

Within the pages of this contract are listed many of the important items that are agreed upon by the community or association. This can include clarifications about maintenance responsibility, restrictions regarding property appearance and use, assessments and fees, and insurance requirements. These homeowner association documents also contain the guidelines for enforcement and resolution of conflict.

In short, the HOA CC&Rs define the rights of every resident, as well as the management company and community itself. Due to the very nature of these association documents, they are typically the most comprehensive. They are also widely regarded as the most crucial out of all the HOA governing documents. Not all CC&Rs are created equal, though, so the content may vary from association to association.

2. Articles of Incorporation

You may be confused as to why a homeowner’s association would even need articles of incorporation. There is a very good reason - an HOA is considered a nonprofit organization, therefore filing articles of incorporation is usually mandatory. It should be noted, though, that some states do allow the creation of unincorporated associations.

When a planned development or condominium is first established, a homeowner association (or condo association) is formed and articles of incorporation are filed with the secretary of state. Every new homeowner automatically joins the association, though they generally do not need to look through these articles.

The HOA articles of incorporation, while important, consist of only fundamental details. This includes the association’s name, location, and purpose. Because of this, these articles are usually short, though some associations choose to cover other subjects in these as well, such as voting and adding amendments.

3. Bylaws

HOA bylaws are a semi-permanent set of guidelines that outline the processes of everyday governance and structure of the community. Most of the homeowner’s association bylaws have to do with the board. They outline important items but not limited to items such as:

• Length of the term
• When board meetings should be held
• When the annual meeting should be conducted
• How many members must be on the board
• Roles and responsibilities of board members
• How new members are elected

The homeowner’s association bylaws may also share a few traits with the CC&Rs in the sense that they can contain the rights and responsibilities of the HOA itself. Additionally, these homeowner association documents usually describe how the annual budget should be created and how assessments must be calculated.

In general, associations seek the help of a legal professional to draft HOA bylaws. These are then reviewed by the government. Because the association’s bylaws function internally, they are not filed with the government. As a result, the bylaws are typically easier to change compared to other HOA governing documents.

4. Rules and Regulations

While the CC&Rs contain more general rules pertaining to the organization and its residents, homeowners’ associations still create a separate document called rules and regulations. These HOA rules and regulations are generally lengthier and more specific than the CC&Rs.

Furthermore, these documents are more flexible than the CC&Rs, given that the board has the ability to set a change in motion while only giving members of the community 30 days to review and express concerns at the change.

The HOA rules and regulations are set in place as a safety net to include anything that was missed or did not fit into categories in the CC&Rs and bylaws. They are usually smaller considerations regarding pool use, parking, pets, AIRBNB, and general use of community amenities such as gold courses and common spaces such as renting out the club house. The rules and regulations help day by day interactions between homeowners, and their families, pets, and properties, in order to make everyone comfortable.

You must keep in mind, though, that the CC&Rs are higher on the hierarchy of authority than the rules and regulations. Should a rule come into conflict with a covenant, the CC&Rs will take precedence. When you make a new rule or decide to amend one, make sure it does not clash with your CC&Rs or state laws.

The Importance of HOA Governing Documents

All of these HOA governing documents are important in making community or association run smoothly, with open communication between the board and the residents they serve. These documents should be referred to often in the case of disputes, violations, and enforcement. They are also crucial in some cases in determining who is responsible for maintenance and repairs. Understanding your HOA governing documents is essential to understanding how your association works and how you can be an integral part of that community.