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Washington, DC HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)

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

Key Facts

Requirement
Bylaws recorded with declaration
Governing law
D.C. Code § 42-1903.01
Board election
Required once declarant control ends
Max declarant control
2-3 years depending on condo type
Meetings
At least once yearly, open to owners

Summary

In Washington, D.C., every condominium must record bylaws with its declaration establishing self-government by the unit owners' association, specifying whether an executive board exists and what powers it holds.

There shall be recorded simultaneously with the declaration a set of bylaws providing for the self-government of the condominium by an association of all the unit owners. The unit owners' association may be incorporated. The bylaws shall provide whether or not the unit owners' association shall have an executive board.

View official code

Full Breakdown

D.C. Code § 42-1903.01 requires condominium bylaws to be recorded simultaneously with the declaration, creating a unit owners' association responsible for governing the property. The association may incorporate. Bylaws must state whether an executive board will run daily operations and, if so, define its size, terms, and powers. Once the declarant-control period set under § 42-1903.02 ends, the executive board must be elected by unit owners unless they vote to amend the bylaws otherwise. Bylaws may also authorize additional officers and permit delegation of association powers to a managing agent, giving each D.C. condo a defined governance structure from the start.

Violations & Fines

Bylaws that skip required recordation or that let a declarant control the board past the statutory limit are invalid; unit owners can sue in D.C. Superior Court to force proper governance under the condominium instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a D.C. condo need bylaws?
Yes. D.C. Code § 42-1903.01(a) requires bylaws recorded with the declaration to set up self-government by the unit owners' association.
When must the executive board be elected by owners?
Once the declarant-control period under § 42-1903.02 ends, unless owners vote to amend the bylaws otherwise.

Sources & Official References

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All Washington rules

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