• Recent Posts

  • Martindale Hubbell AV Rating

    The Greater Williamsburg area is an exciting place to live and work, especially because of the large number of entrepreneurs who have built businesses from the ground up. These entrepreneurs have taken their passion and made it their profession. Many of us want to take that step. Before you begin, you need to think of the type of business entity you want to form. Our attorneys have extensive business experience, from small one-person companies to publicly traded major corporations. Our attorneys are among the leaders in Virginia in the representation of Common Interest Communities. These communities are generally referred to as "homeowners associations," or "HOAs," and "condominium associations." In the greater Williamsburg area alone, we provide legal assistance to nearly 100 associations. Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted and defended a wide array of civil disputes involving community association covenant enforcement, commercial transactions, construction disputes, contracts, real estate matters, boundary line and easement disputes, employment matters, antitrust litigation, copyright violations, administrative proceedings, and estate issues. Real Estate law encompasses a wide variety of matters, and our attorneys have vast experience to assist you. Whether you need assistance with a commercial or residential closing, or you have questions relating to residential or commercial leasing, we provide experienced advice and counsel to our clients. Zoning law can be a complicated maze of statutes and ordinances. We have ample experience in successful applications for rezoning, variance, and special use permit requests. Finally, commercial and residential construction provide special challenges with respect to financing issues and the construction process. We serve as counsel to various financial institutions.

HOAs – What are your Governing Documents?


It’s the beginning of a new year so let’s start with some basic nuts and bolts information regarding homeowners associations. We’ll begin this series of blog articles with a discussion of the phrase “Governing Documents” which is used by board members, managers and homeowners.

What are the Governing Documents? They are the legal documents that govern and regulate the association and the community. The Governing Documents include the (i) Articles of Incorporation; (ii) Bylaws; (iii) Declaration; (iv) Plats (v) Rules and Regulations; and (vi) Resolutions. Each of these documents perform a particular function for the community.

  • The Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”) organize and establish the nonstock corporation that is the homeowners association or as we now refer to them, the common interest community association. To form a corporation in Virginia, Articles must be filed with the State Corporation Commission. In general, the Articles provide information on the purpose of the association and identify the members and board of directors.
  • The Bylaws set forth procedures for operating the association and the power and duties of board. The Bylaws will include specific provisions addressing board of director meeting procedures, member (lot owner) meetings, voting requirements, elections of officers and directors, budget process, establish the process for assessments and may address maintenance responsibilities.
  • The Declaration is the document that establishes the type of community. The Declaration is recorded in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office where the property is located. It identifies Common Area, creates rights in owners to use the Common Area; establishes the assessment obligation for owner to pay dues; creates various easements; and defines the process for the developer to add property to the community development scheme.
  • Plats are recorded with the Declaration and any supplemental declarations to show the location of roadways, common area and utility and drainage easements
  • Rules and Regulations and Resolutions establish rules and procedures for the association. The adoption of Rules and Regulations is a power typically given to board of directors. Rules and Regulations govern the use of common areas and amenities and address such issues as pets, parking, safety rules for use of trails, pools and clubhouses, holiday decorations and trash disposal.
  • Resolutions are used to address policies or to address a problem encountered by the association. The issue being addressed must be within the rule-making authority of the board. You may be familiar with your community’s collection policy or covenant enforcement policy. These are examples of resolutions that a board would consider.

In our next article, we will answer the question: What are Condominium Instruments?


Tarley Robinson, PLC, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law

Williamsburg, Virginia

Susan Tarley

Susan Tarley

Susan Tarley

Susan chairs the firm's common interest community (HOAs and Condos) practice area. She was admitted into the College of Community Association Attorneys (“CCAL”). Susan is one of fewer than 150 attorneys nationwide to be admitted to CCAL, for distinguishing herself through contributions to the evolution or practice of community association law.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
Twitter

Filed under: Common Interest Community, Contributors, General Interest, HOA, HOA litigation, Susan B. Tarley by Susan Tarley

Comments are closed.

« | »
  • Phone Numbers

    (757) 229-4281- Office

    (757) 229-7439 - Fax
  • Address

    4801 Courthouse Street Suite 122 Williamsburg, Virginia 23188
Web Development by OneWaveMedia.Com