Washington Statewide Rule

Washington HOA Open Meetings & Records Access (WUCIOA RCW 64.90.445/.495 / HOA Act RCW 64.38.035/.045)

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Washington (2026)

Key Facts

WUCIOA open meetings: RCW 64.90.445: meetings open; no final vote in executive session
Older-HOA open meetings: RCW 64.38.035: board meetings open to owners of record
WUCIOA records: RCW 64.90.495: owners may examine and copy required records
Older-HOA records: RCW 64.38.045: records available for examination and copying
2026 change: RCW 64.90.445 open-meeting rule applies to ALL associations from Jan 1, 2026

Last verified: August 21, 2026

Summary

Washington requires HOA board meetings to be open to owners and gives owners broad record-access rights. WUCIOA communities follow RCW 64.90.445 (open meetings) and RCW 64.90.495 (records); older associations follow RCW 64.38.035 and 64.38.045. As of January 1, 2026, the WUCIOA open-meetings rule (RCW 64.90.445) applies to all Washington community associations.

(2) The following requirements apply to meetings of the board and committees authorized to act for the board: (a) Meetings must be open to the unit owners except during executive sessions, but the board may expel or prohibit attendance by any person who, after warning by the chair of the meeting, disrupts the meeting. The board and those committees may hold an executive session only during a regular or special meeting of the board or a committee. A final vote or action may not be taken during an executive session.

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Full Breakdown

Under WUCIOA RCW 64.90.445, board and committee meetings "must be open to the unit owners except during executive sessions," and "a final vote or action may not be taken during an executive session." Executive sessions are limited to matters like litigation, personnel, contracts, and privacy. RCW 64.90.495 requires the association to make "all records required to be retained by an association ... available for examination and copying by all unit owners." For older HOAs, RCW 64.38.035 states "all meetings of the board of directors shall be open for observation by all owners of record," and RCW 64.38.045 requires records to be "available for examination and copying by all owners." Per 2024 amendments, RCW 64.90.445 now reaches all associations effective January 1, 2026.

Violations & Penalties

Decisions made in improperly closed meetings, or final votes taken in executive session, can be challenged. An association that refuses lawful record inspection (subject to allowed redactions) violates RCW 64.90.495 or RCW 64.38.045; owners may seek to compel access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Washington HOA board meetings open to homeowners?

Yes. WUCIOA RCW 64.90.445 and the older RCW 64.38.035 both require board meetings to be open to owners, except for limited executive sessions, and a final vote may not be taken in executive session. As of January 1, 2026, RCW 64.90.445 applies to all Washington associations.

Can I inspect my HOA's financial records?

Yes. RCW 64.90.495 (WUCIOA) and RCW 64.38.045 (older HOAs) require the association to make required records, including budgets and minutes, available to owners for examination and copying, subject to limited redactions like attorney-client and personnel materials.

Can the board decide things in secret?

No. Executive sessions are limited to defined topics (litigation, personnel, contracts, privacy), and under both RCW 64.90.445 and RCW 64.38.035 any final action must be taken, or ratified, in an open meeting.

Sources

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