Seattle, WA HOA Rules: Board Procedures (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing Law
- RCW 64.90 (WUCIOA)
- Open Meetings
- Required for all board meetings
- Homeowner Comment Period
- Minimum 15 minutes per meeting
- Individual Speaking Time
- Board may limit to 90 seconds minimum
- Electronic Meetings
- Permitted without physical location
Summary
HOAs in Seattle are governed by the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA), RCW 64.90. Board meetings must be open to all unit owners. Boards must begin each meeting with at least 15 minutes for homeowner comments, and individual owners may be limited to 90 seconds of speaking time. Executive sessions are permitted only for limited purposes such as legal matters and personnel issues.
Chapter 64.90 RCW — WASHINGTON UNIFORM COMMON INTEREST OWNERSHIP ACT. Sections relevant to board procedures include: 64.90.400 Unit owners association — Organization; 64.90.405 Powers and duties; 64.90.410 Board members, officers, and committees; 64.90.415 Period of declarant control — Transition; 64.90.420 Transfer of association property; 64.90.425 Transfer of special declarant rights; 64.90.430 Contracts and leases — Termination; 64.90.435 Organizational documents; 64.90.440 Maintenance, repair, replacement — Liability of unit owner — Inspection; 64.90.445 Meetings; 64.90.450 Quorum; 64.90.455 Unit owner voting; 64.90.460 Liability — Tolling; 64.90.470 Insurance; 64.90.475 Accounts and records — Reconciliation; 64.90.495 Association records; 64.90.515 Notice; 64.90.518 Board members — Election — Notice; 64.90.520 Officers and board members — Removal; 64.90.525 Budgets — Assessments — Special assessments.
Full Breakdown
90) governs all common interest communities in Washington state, including condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities in Seattle. Under WUCIOA, all board meetings must be open to owners, with executive sessions limited to specific topics such as pending litigation, personnel matters, and contract negotiations. Each board meeting must begin with at least 15 minutes dedicated to homeowner comments, with the board able to limit individual speaking time to no fewer than 90 seconds per unit owner. Meetings may be held via telephone, video, or other electronic conferencing without requiring a physical location.
All election ballots must include a blank space for write-in candidates, and votes on elections, board member removals, and amendments must be conducted via secret ballot. 90. Seattle does not impose additional municipal HOA regulations beyond state law.
Violations & Fines
Owners may challenge board actions taken in violation of open meeting requirements through court proceedings. The board may be required to re-notice and re-vote on any action taken without proper notice or in improper executive session. Owners also have rights to inspect association records and may petition for judicial relief if access is denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Seattle HOA board meetings open to homeowners?
Does Seattle have its own HOA regulations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
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Board Procedures in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle board procedures.