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San Antonio, TX HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
UDC Sec. 35-B130
Triggers
HOA formed for common facility maintenance
First annual meeting
Within 1 year of incorporation
Initial board size
3 directors named in articles
Director pay
No compensation allowed
Plat link
AOI copy required under Sec. 35-B131

Summary

San Antonio's Unified Development Code requires any homeowners' association formed to maintain a subdivision's common facilities, like parks or open space, to adopt articles of incorporation and bylaws that substantially match the city's model text in UDC Section 35-B130, covering board elections, annual meetings, assessments, and member inspection rights before development services will certify the plat.

Where a provision of this chapter requires or permits the formation of a homeowners' association to establish or to maintain a facility (e.g., parks/open space), the documentation establishing the homeowners' association shall include articles of incorporation and by-laws which conform substantially to the following: ... Subject to the terms of the Declaration, the Members of the Association shall elect the Board of Directors of the Association (the "Board")... The first meeting of the Association shall be held within one (1) year from the date of incorporation of the Association, and each subsequent regular annual meeting of the members shall be held on the same day of the same month of each year thereafter unless otherwise determined by the Board... No member of the Board of Directors shall receive any compensation for acting as such.

Full Breakdown

' The model bylaws set concrete governance mechanics. The association's first annual meeting must occur within one year of incorporation, and every subsequent annual meeting falls on the same calendar date each year unless the board changes it. The initial board consists of three directors named in the articles, elected at that first meeting, and a majority of directors in office constitutes a quorum for board business. No director may be compensated for serving, though reasonable expense reimbursement is allowed. Assessments the board levies against lots become a continuing lien securing collection, and members hold a standing right to inspect the association's books, articles, bylaws and declaration at the principal office at reasonable cost.

Dissolution requires written assent from members representing the vote threshold set in the declaration, with remaining assets passing to another nonprofit or a government agency devoted to similar purposes. The requirement reaches beyond paperwork: Section 35-B131 lists a copy of the homeowners' association's articles of incorporation among the materials the parks and recreation department can demand before issuing the certification a plat needs when park dedication credit is claimed. Because the template is filed as part of the subdivision's recorded documents, it becomes the association's actual governing instrument, not just a planning exhibit.

Violations & Fines

UDC Section 35-B130 itself carries no separate fine schedule; its teeth come from the platting process. Development Services and the Parks and Recreation Department require a copy of the association's articles of incorporation under Section 35-B131 before certifying a plat that depends on HOA-maintained open space, so documents that omit the required governance provisions can stall or block plat approval and the subdivision's recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Antonio require every HOA to use this template?
No. UDC Section 35-B130 applies only when a chapter provision requires or permits forming a homeowners' association to establish or maintain a facility like a park or open space as part of a subdivision. Voluntary HOAs formed outside the platting process are not bound to this model language, though many still borrow it.
What happens if the association's bylaws don't match the model?
The code requires the documents to 'conform substantially,' not word for word, so reasonable variation is allowed. But Development Services and Parks and Recreation can require a copy of the articles of incorporation under Section 35-B131 before certifying a plat, giving the city practical leverage to reject documents that skip core governance mechanics.
Can HOA board members be paid under this rule?
No. The model bylaws state that no member of the board of directors shall receive any compensation for acting as such, though a director or member can be reimbursed for actual, reasonable expenses or paid for separate work done as an employee or agent of a third party.
How often must the association meet?
The first meeting must happen within one year of incorporation, and each later annual meeting falls on the same day and month every year after that unless the board changes it. The board itself must meet at least once per calendar year in addition to any special meetings members or directors call.

Sources & Official References

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