HOA Rules in Oakland County, MI (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Oakland County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Architectural Review
Architectural review in Oakland County HOAs (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Northville, Novi, Rochester Hills, etc.) is driven by the association's recorded declaration of CC&Rs and any architectural standards adopted by the board. Michigan courts routinely uphold reasonable architectural restrictions. Effective April 1, 2025, the Michigan Homeowner Energy Policy Act (2024 PA 64, codified at MCL 559.301 et seq.) sharply limits an HOA's authority to prohibit solar panels, clotheslines, energy-efficient windows, EV charging, and similar energy-saving improvements on a member's lot or limited common element.
Oakland County HOA Architectural Review (CC&Rs + Michigan Homeowner Energy Policy Act)
Some RestrictionsMCL 559.206 (Michigan Condominium Act §106)
Sec. 106. A co-owner may maintain an action against the association of co-owners and its officers and directors to compel them to enforce the terms and provisions of the condominium documents. In a proceeding arising because of an alleged default by a co-owner, the association of co-owners or the co-owner, if successful, shall recover the costs of the proceeding and reasonable attorney fees, as...
Assessment & Dues
HOA and condo assessments in Oakland County are levied under the association's bylaws and (for condos) the Michigan Condominium Act. Unpaid assessments, together with interest, late charges, advances, attorney fees, and fines, become a statutory lien on the unit under MCL 559.208 with priority over everything except tax liens and a first mortgage of record. The lien may be foreclosed by judicial action or, where authorized, by advertisement.
Oakland County HOA Assessment Rules and Liens (MCL 559.208)
Heavy RestrictionsMCL 559.208(1) (Michigan Condominium Act §108)
Sec. 108. (1) Sums assessed to a co-owner by the association of co-owners that are unpaid together with interest on such sums, collection and late charges, advances made by the association of co-owners for taxes or other liens to protect its lien, attorney fees, and fines in accordance with the condominium documents, constitute a lien upon the unit or units in the condominium project owned by t...
Dispute Resolution
Oakland County HOA and condo disputes are resolved in the 6th Judicial Circuit Court (Oakland County Circuit Court, Pontiac) for amounts above the small-claims and district-court thresholds. Alternative dispute resolution is encouraged. For condominiums, MCL 559.206 authorizes the prevailing party in a default proceeding to recover costs and reasonable attorney fees to the extent the condominium documents expressly so provide, and MCL 559.207 lets a co-owner sue to compel the board to enforce the documents.
Oakland County HOA Dispute Resolution and Attorney-Fee Recovery
Some RestrictionsMCL 559.206 (Michigan Condominium Act §106)
Sec. 106. (a) A co-owner... may maintain an action to recover sums due for damages, injunctive relief, foreclosure of lien if default in payment of assessment, or any combination thereof. (b) In a proceeding arising because of an alleged default by a co-owner, the association of co-owners or the co-owner, if successful, shall recover the costs of the proceeding and reasonable attorney fees, as ...
CC&R Enforcement
CC&Rs in Oakland County subdivisions and condominium projects (recorded at the Oakland County Register of Deeds, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac) run with the land and bind successive owners. Subdivision (HOA) restrictions are enforced under contract and real-property law plus the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act; condominium restrictions are enforced under MCL 559.206 and MCL 559.207 of the Michigan Condominium Act. Michigan courts will enforce reasonable restrictions but refuse to enforce restrictions that are vague, abandoned by acquiescence, racially discriminatory, or barred by recent statute (e.g., the Homeowner Energy Policy Act).
Oakland County CC&R Enforcement (Recorded Restrictions + Bylaws)
Some RestrictionsMCL 559.206 (Michigan Condominium Act §106)
Sec. 106. (a) A co-owner... may maintain an action to recover sums due for damages, injunctive relief, foreclosure of lien if default in payment of assessment, or any combination thereof. (b) In a proceeding arising because of an alleged default by a co-owner, the association of co-owners or the co-owner, if successful, shall recover the costs of the proceeding and reasonable attorney fees, as ...
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