Washington HOAs may adopt and enforce rules and architectural standards and enforce the recorded declaration. Under WUCIOA, RCW 64.90.405 authorizes rule adoption and enforcement, while RCW 64.90.510 fixes outer limits the rules cannot cross (flags, solar, signs). Older HOAs draw the same rulemaking power from RCW 64.38.020.
WUCIOA RCW 64.90.405 lets an association "amend organizational documents and adopt and amend rules," "enforce the governing documents," and pursue legal proceedings about the community, subject to dispute-resolution and construction-defect procedures. Architectural and covenant rules sit inside this power. RCW 64.90.510 ("Regulatory authority—Limitations") then caps that authority: rules and architectural review may regulate the time, place, and manner of flags, solar panels, and political signs, but "an association may not prohibit" them outright. For older HOAs, RCW 64.38.020 grants authority to "adopt and amend bylaws, rules, and regulations" and to "regulate the use, maintenance, repair, replacement, and modification of common areas." Enforcement under both acts must be consistent, not arbitrary or capricious.
Owners who violate recorded covenants or architectural standards face fines (after notice and hearing), forced correction, and suits to enforce the declaration. Rules or architectural decisions that exceed statutory limits (e.g., banning solar or flags) or are applied arbitrarily are themselves unenforceable.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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