Sherman, TX HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)

Section 10.02.008 of the Sherman Code of Ordinances, part of the subdivision regulations adopted by the Sherman City Council, decides when a property owners' association (POA) is required and what its governing documents must contain. Under subsection (b), a POA must be established for any development that contains an amenity or thoroughfare screening. Subsection (c) lists the triggers: an amenity center such as a private swimming pool, club house or tennis courts, a private recreational facility, entry features, open space, ponds and drainage ways, water fountains, water features and creek areas, hike-and-bike trails, private streets, other commonly owned facilities, and screening required by Section 14.04.004. The association is mandatory and must keep operating after formation.

Procedure sits in subsection (d). The declaration, covenants and other establishing documents go to the city attorney for review before the final plat is submitted and before an acceptance of public improvements letter is issued. The applicant reimburses the city for all related legal costs, paid in full before the final plat is recorded. The documents are recorded at the county before the plat, and two copies go to development services within five days following recordation. A later phase of an existing subdivision can join the existing association if the recorded documents are amended to cover the new phase and a draft of the amended covenants reaches the city attorney before the plat is recorded.

Subsection (e) requires the developer to post notice at all model homes and sales offices stating that a POA has been established, that membership is mandatory for all lot owners, and that the developer must give any person who asks a complete copy of the association documents and a five-year projection of dues, income and expenses.

Subsection (f) is the governance checklist. The documents must carry the mandatory-membership statement, a list of maintenance responsibilities, bylaws related to the governance of the association, and responsibility for liability insurance and local taxes. They also need a written release of liability and indemnification for the city, written assurance of reserve funds, and written consent letting the city act on violations under subsection (h). Subsection (g)(1) adds that association documents cannot overrule the landscaping provisions of the zoning ordinance by penalizing or restricting water conserving landscapes.