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Rockdale County, GA HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Subdivisions on private residential streets
Membership
Mandatory for every lot owner
Initial reserve contribution
$400 minimum at first sale
Reserve study
Licensed engineer, every 5 years
County oversight
County attorney reviews the declarations

Summary

Any subdivision in unincorporated Rockdale County built on private residential streets must form a mandatory property owners association under Code § 302-73, with membership binding every lot buyer, a minimum $400 capital-reserve contribution at first sale, and a professional reserve study every five years to fund upkeep of the private street system.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rockdale County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Subdivisions developed and all properties served by private residential streets shall have a mandatory property owners association ("association"). Membership in the association shall be mandatory for each original and successive purchaser of a lot within the development by virtue of a recorded declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions (declarations) or other similar document binding all property owners in the subdivision. The declarations shall require that at the time of the initial first sale of each lot following the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the lot purchaser shall be required to contribute an amount to a capital reserve account of the association equal to at least $400.00, or an amount based on the total annual budget of the association as determined by the association, whichever is greater. In addition, the declarations shall require the association to execute a capital reserve study performed by a licensed Georgia engineer at least once every five years where the useful life and replacement cost is determined for each of the improvements for which the association is required to maintain.

Full Breakdown

Section 302-73 sits in the UDO's article on private streets and gated communities, and it is the provision that actually creates the county's homeowners association requirement, though it applies specifically to subdivisions and properties served by private residential streets rather than to every subdivision countywide. Membership in the association is mandatory for the original buyer and every successive purchaser of a lot, running by virtue of a recorded declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions or a similar binding document. 00 to the association's capital reserve account, or a larger amount if the association's total annual budget calls for it.

Beyond that one-time contribution, the association must commission a capital reserve study from a licensed Georgia engineer at least once every five years, covering the useful life and replacement cost of every improvement the association is responsible for maintaining, and then set an annual capital reserve budget from that study so the association stays funded to maintain, repair and eventually replace those improvements, including the private street system itself. S. Postal Service, the school board, and trash haulers for service into the gated area, and pay for any emergency gate repairs the county has to perform to preserve emergency vehicle access.

Violations & Fines

An association that fails to maintain its private streets, gates or capital reserve funding as § 302-73 and § 302-72 require can be compelled to make emergency repairs at its own expense; the county may enter the subdivision, and under § 302-72(f) may disable, open or remove a malfunctioning gate at the association's sole cost if it blocks emergency access, with the cost assessed directly against the homeowners association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rockdale County require an HOA for every subdivision?
No. Rockdale County Code § 302-73 makes a property owners association mandatory only for subdivisions and properties served by private residential streets. Subdivisions built entirely on public, county-maintained streets are not covered by this particular ordinance, though their declarations may create an HOA anyway.
How much must a new homeowner contribute to the HOA's reserve fund?
Under § 302-73, the declarations must require at least a $400.00 contribution to the association's capital reserve account at the first sale of each lot after a certificate of occupancy issues, or a higher figure if the association's total annual budget requires it.
How often must a Rockdale County HOA update its capital reserve study?
Section 302-73 requires the association to have a capital reserve study performed by a licensed Georgia engineer at least once every five years, covering the useful life and replacement cost of every improvement, including the private street system, that the association must maintain.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rockdale County

All Rockdale County rules

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