Cottage Lake HOA Rules: Assessment & Dues Rules (2026)

Assessment authority for King County HOAs and condominium associations flows from Washington state law and the association's governing documents. Under WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) for post-2018 communities, associations may levy regular assessments based on an adopted annual budget, special assessments for capital projects or unexpected expenses, and individual assessments against specific units for damage caused by that unit or its occupants. Regular budgets must be ratified by the membership — they become effective unless rejected by a majority of unit owners at a meeting called for that purpose. Special assessments above a certain threshold typically require membership approval under the governing documents. Late fees and interest may be charged on delinquent assessments as set forth in the governing documents and state law. Unpaid assessments automatically become a lien against the unit under RCW 64.90.485 (WUCIOA), RCW 64.38.100 (HOAs), and RCW 64.34.364 (condos). This lien has priority over most other liens except for: property taxes, first mortgages recorded before the assessment came due, and (under WUCIOA) up to 6 months of assessments have super-priority over first mortgages. The association may foreclose the lien through judicial or non-judicial foreclosure in King County Superior Court. Before foreclosure, WUCIOA requires notice and opportunity to cure. Associations must provide owners with a statement of account on request. King County does not mediate HOA assessment disputes — these are matters of contract and state law.