Washington has two regimes. Communities created on or after July 1, 2018 fall under WUCIOA (RCW 64.90), whose lien carries a 6-month super-priority over first mortgages and can be foreclosed like a mortgage. Older associations use the Homeowners' Associations Act (RCW 64.38), whose lien may be foreclosed only after strict notice and dollar thresholds.
Under WUCIOA, RCW 64.90.485 gives the association a lien with "priority over all other liens and encumbrances on a unit" except pre-declaration liens, tax liens, and certain prior security interests. Critically, it has limited super-priority over a first mortgage to the extent of common-expense assessments "which would have become due in the absence of acceleration during the six months immediately preceding the institution of proceedings" (plus capped fees). The lien may be foreclosed judicially or non-judicially. For older HOAs, RCW 64.38.100 allows foreclosure only after the owner owes the greater of three months' assessments or $2,000, two delinquency notices, and a 90-day wait; every step must be "commercially reasonable." RCW 64.38 sets no super-priority.
Unpaid assessments accrue interest, late charges, costs, and attorney fees, and the association may record and foreclose a lien against the home. Under WUCIOA, six months of assessments take priority over a first mortgage; under RCW 64.38, foreclosure requires reaching the 3-month/$2,000 threshold and serving two notices.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver prohibits leaving any vehicle parked on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. Officers attach a notification sticker; if the vehicle ...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Municipal Code Chapter 20.912 governs all fences, walls, and retaining walls citywide. Residential fences have tiered height limits by yard locat...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver has no dedicated local ordinance banning wildlife feeding. Washington state law prohibits feeding large wild carnivores and, since May 2025, feedin...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows hens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and similar domestic animals in all zoning districts for hobby use with no minimum lot size. Roosters, turkeys,...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Land Use and Development Code (VMC Chapter 20.925) encourages but does not universally mandate native plants. For development projects, native an...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 8-foot residential accessory-structure height standa...
See how Vancouver's assessment & dues rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.