Rockdale County, GA HOA Rules: Board Governance (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.
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?
How much must a new homeowner contribute to the HOA's reserve fund?
How often must a Rockdale County HOA update its capital reserve study?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
Compare Rockdale County to another location·View the Georgia hoa rules overview
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