D.C. Condominium Association Fines & Late Charges (D.C. Code § 42-1903.08)

D.C. Code § 42-1903.08(a)(11) gives a condominium unit owners' association the 'power to impose a charge for late payment of an assessment and, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, levy a reasonable fine for violation of the condominium instruments or rules and regulations of the unit owners' association.' The statute requires the fine be reasonable and the violation be of recorded instruments or duly adopted rules. The Act does not set a fixed dollar cap; reasonableness and the due-process steps (written notice and a hearing) govern. For non-condo HOAs, which D.C. does not regulate by a dedicated act, fining authority and any procedural protections come from the declaration and the D.C. Nonprofit Corporation Act (Title 29).

A condo owner who ignores valid rules may face a reasonable fine plus late charges, but only after written notice and a chance to be heard; unpaid fines can be added to the assessment account and pursued like other dues.