Ohio HOA & Condo Laws

Assessment Collection Compare across states

How HOAs and condominium associations charge, collect, and enforce regular and special assessments. Covers dues billing, delinquency notices, late fees, lien filing, judicial and non-judicial foreclosure, statute of limitations, and …

O.R.C. §5311.081

Ohio Condominium Act — Powers and Duties of Board

Board must adopt an annual budget including reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless owners waive the reserve requirement …

O.R.C. §5312.01

Ohio Planned Community Law — Definitions

Defines key terms including planned community (where deeds/declarations require owners to join an association), common element, common expense, declaration, assessment, lot, and dwelling unit. Explicitly …

O.R.C. §5312.02

Ohio Planned Community Law — Applicability

Applies to any planned community in Ohio. Requires filing and recording a declaration and bylaws with the county recorder. Bylaws must address election procedures, board …

O.R.C. §5312.10

Ohio Planned Community Law — Common Expense Liability

Each lot's liability is determined by the declaration's allocation formula; if none, expenses are divided equally among all lots. Board must assess common expenses annually …

O.R.C. §5312.12

Ohio Planned Community Law — Liens

Association may place a lien for unpaid assessments that remain due more than 10 days after becoming payable. No super-priority over first mortgages. Lien is …

Reserve Requirements Compare across states

Statutory requirements for reserve studies, reserve funding, component inventory, funding plans, and board fiduciary duty regarding major repair and replacement obligations.

O.R.C. §5311.081

Ohio Condominium Act — Powers and Duties of Board

Board must adopt an annual budget including reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless owners waive the reserve requirement …

O.R.C. §5311.26

Ohio Condominium Act — Developer Disclosure Statement

Applies only to developer sales, not existing owner resales. Developer must provide written disclosure containing 15 categories including project description, financing, warranties, two-year budget projection, …

O.R.C. §5312.06

Ohio Planned Community Law — Powers and Duties of Association

Enumerates 18 broad powers including budget adoption, hiring/firing, legal action, contracts, enforcement, rules adoption, property transactions, fee levying, borrowing, member discipline, insurance, and investments. Budget …

Meetings and Notice Compare across states

Board and owner meeting requirements — open meeting mandates, advance notice periods, agenda requirements, minimum owner comment periods, executive session limits, remote participation, and materials access rules.

O.R.C. §5311.08

Ohio Condominium Act — Unit Owners Association

All power exercised by a board of directors elected from unit owners or their spouses. Required officers: president, secretary, treasurer. Not less than one-fifth of …

O.R.C. §5312.04

Ohio Planned Community Law — Election of Officers; Meetings

Board must call at least one annual meeting of owners (except during declarant control). Special meetings may be called by the president, board majority, or …

Elections and Voting Compare across states

Director elections, board member removal votes, governing document amendments, secret ballot requirements, quorum rules, proxy voting, electronic voting, and inspector of election requirements.

O.R.C. §5312.02

Ohio Planned Community Law — Applicability

Applies to any planned community in Ohio. Requires filing and recording a declaration and bylaws with the county recorder. Bylaws must address election procedures, board …

O.R.C. §5312.04

Ohio Planned Community Law — Election of Officers; Meetings

Board must call at least one annual meeting of owners (except during declarant control). Special meetings may be called by the president, board majority, or …

Records Access and Inspection Compare across states

Unit owner rights to inspect association records — financial statements, meeting minutes, governing documents, contracts, and correspondence. Response timelines, allowable copying fees, and executive session materials exceptions.

O.R.C. §5312.07

Ohio Planned Community Law — Examination of Books and Records

Owners may examine and copy books, records, and minutes under reasonable standards. Records older than five years require board approval. Certain categories restricted: personnel information, …

Enforcement and Fines Compare across states

Association authority to enforce governing documents through fines, suspension of privileges, and legal action. Covers fine limits, hearing requirements, notice-and-opportunity procedures, and limitations on enforcement authority.

O.R.C. §5311.081

Ohio Condominium Act — Powers and Duties of Board

Board must adopt an annual budget including reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless owners waive the reserve requirement …

O.R.C. §5312.01

Ohio Planned Community Law — Definitions

Defines key terms including planned community (where deeds/declarations require owners to join an association), common element, common expense, declaration, assessment, lot, and dwelling unit. Explicitly …

O.R.C. §5312.06

Ohio Planned Community Law — Powers and Duties of Association

Enumerates 18 broad powers including budget adoption, hiring/firing, legal action, contracts, enforcement, rules adoption, property transactions, fee levying, borrowing, member discipline, insurance, and investments. Budget …

O.R.C. §5312.13

Ohio Planned Community Law — Compliance; Action for Damages

Association and individual owners must comply with all recorded covenants, conditions, restrictions, bylaws, and rules. Association or any owner may commence civil action for damages, …

Resale Disclosure Compare across states

Resale certificate and transfer disclosure requirements at the time of unit sale. Covers disclosure timing, content, fee caps, delivery deadlines, buyer rescission rights, and association liability for inaccurate information.

O.R.C. §5311.26

Ohio Condominium Act — Developer Disclosure Statement

Applies only to developer sales, not existing owner resales. Developer must provide written disclosure containing 15 categories including project description, financing, warranties, two-year budget projection, …

Insurance Requirements Compare across states

Statutory insurance requirements for HOAs and condominiums — property insurance, liability coverage, directors and officers, fidelity bonds, flood insurance, and cyber liability. Coverage minimums, deductible assessments, and claims procedures.

O.R.C. §5311.16

Ohio Condominium Act — Insurance

Board must maintain liability insurance, fire and extended coverage at minimum 90% of replacement cost, and fidelity/crime insurance for anyone with fund access in an …

Fiduciary Duty Compare across states

Board member fiduciary obligations — duty of care, duty of loyalty, business judgment rule, conflict of interest disclosure, and personal liability exposure. Statutory duties imposed on directors and officers of …

O.R.C. §5311.08

Ohio Condominium Act — Unit Owners Association

All power exercised by a board of directors elected from unit owners or their spouses. Required officers: president, secretary, treasurer. Not less than one-fifth of …

O.R.C. §5311.081

Ohio Condominium Act — Powers and Duties of Board

Board must adopt an annual budget including reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless owners waive the reserve requirement …

O.R.C. §5312.03

Ohio Planned Community Law — Administration; Board of Directors

Board of directors is elected from owners and their spouses. Board majority cannot consist of owners from the same lot. Declarant must establish the association …

O.R.C. §5312.06

Ohio Planned Community Law — Powers and Duties of Association

Enumerates 18 broad powers including budget adoption, hiring/firing, legal action, contracts, enforcement, rules adoption, property transactions, fee levying, borrowing, member discipline, insurance, and investments. Budget …

Governance Documents Compare across states

The foundational documents governing common interest communities — declarations (CC&Rs), bylaws, articles of incorporation, rules and regulations, architectural guidelines, and resolutions. Document hierarchy, amendment procedures, and recording requirements.

O.R.C. §5311.02

Ohio Condominium Act — Applicability

Applies only to property submitted to the act by execution and filing of a declaration. Property must be fee simple or 99-year renewable leasehold. Creating …

O.R.C. §5312.01

Ohio Planned Community Law — Definitions

Defines key terms including planned community (where deeds/declarations require owners to join an association), common element, common expense, declaration, assessment, lot, and dwelling unit. Explicitly …

O.R.C. §5312.02

Ohio Planned Community Law — Applicability

Applies to any planned community in Ohio. Requires filing and recording a declaration and bylaws with the county recorder. Bylaws must address election procedures, board …

Amendment Procedures Compare across states

How HOAs amend their governing documents — voting thresholds, recording requirements, notice procedures, and limitations on what can be amended. Covers both CC&R amendments and bylaw changes.

O.R.C. §5312.05

Ohio Planned Community Law — Amendments to Declaration or Bylaws

Declaration or bylaw amendments require consent of 75% of owners. Termination of the declaration requires unanimous consent. Removal of discriminatory provisions requires only simple majority …

Foreclosure and Liens Compare across states

Assessment lien filing, priority, extinguishment, and foreclosure procedures. Minimum thresholds for foreclosure, pre-foreclosure notice requirements, mediation mandates, super-priority provisions, and the interaction between HOA liens and mortgage liens.

O.R.C. §5311.18

Ohio Condominium Act — Lien for Common Expenses

Association has lien on units for unpaid common expenses. No super-priority over first mortgages. Lien subordinate to real estate tax liens and previously recorded first …

O.R.C. §5312.12

Ohio Planned Community Law — Liens

Association may place a lien for unpaid assessments that remain due more than 10 days after becoming payable. No super-priority over first mortgages. Lien is …

Architectural Review Compare across states

Association authority to review and approve owner modifications to units and common elements. Covers architectural review committees, approval procedures, denial appeals, and statutory limitations on what can be prohibited (e.g., …

O.R.C. §5312.16

Ohio Planned Community Law — Solar Energy Devices

Enacted by SB 61 (2022). Addresses owner rights to install solar energy collection devices in planned communities, balancing owner installation rights with association architectural standards.

Developer Transition Compare across states

The handoff from developer control to owner-controlled governance. Turnover requirements, document delivery obligations, transition audits, warranty periods, and developer liability for construction defects revealed after transition.

O.R.C. §5311.26

Ohio Condominium Act — Developer Disclosure Statement

Applies only to developer sales, not existing owner resales. Developer must provide written disclosure containing 15 categories including project description, financing, warranties, two-year budget projection, …

O.R.C. §5312.03

Ohio Planned Community Law — Administration; Board of Directors

Board of directors is elected from owners and their spouses. Board majority cannot consist of owners from the same lot. Declarant must establish the association …

Solar & Sustainability Rights Compare across states

Owner rights to install solar panels, EV charging stations, heat pumps, and other sustainability improvements. State solar access laws, EV-ready building codes, and limitations on association authority to restrict green …

O.R.C. §5312.16

Ohio Planned Community Law — Solar Energy Devices

Enacted by SB 61 (2022). Addresses owner rights to install solar energy collection devices in planned communities, balancing owner installation rights with association architectural standards.

Legal Facts by Category
Each lot's liability is determined by the declaration's allocation formula; if none, expenses are divided equally among all lots. O.R.C. §5312.10
Board may impose interest on overdue assessments. O.R.C. §5312.10
Board must assess common expenses annually based on an adopted budget. O.R.C. §5312.10
No super-priority over first mortgages. O.R.C. §5312.12
Association may place a lien for unpaid assessments that remain due more than 10 days after becoming payable. O.R.C. §5312.12
May be foreclosed in the same manner as a mortgage on real property O.R.C. §5312.12
Declaration or bylaw amendments require consent of 75% of owners. O.R.C. §5312.05
Termination of the declaration requires unanimous consent. O.R.C. §5312.05
Addresses owner rights to install solar energy collection devices in planned communities, balancing owner installation rights with association architectural standards. O.R.C. §5312.16
Enacted by SB 61 (2022). O.R.C. §5312.16
Applies only to developer sales, not existing owner resales. O.R.C. §5311.26
Declarant control ends when all lots transfer to owners. O.R.C. §5312.03
Enumerates 21 powers including assessment collection, enforcement, hiring, and insurance. O.R.C. §5311.081
Lien subordinate to real estate tax liens and previously recorded first mortgages. O.R.C. §5311.18
Association has lien on units for unpaid common expenses. O.R.C. §5311.18
No super-priority over first mortgages. O.R.C. §5311.18
Judicial foreclosure only. O.R.C. §5311.18
Certain categories restricted: personnel information, attorney-client communications, litigation work product, confidential contract details. O.R.C. §5312.07
Lien is prior to subsequently arising encumbrances except tax liens and previously recorded first mortgages. O.R.C. §5312.12
Association and individual owners must comply with all recorded covenants, conditions, restrictions, bylaws, and rules. O.R.C. §5312.13
Property must be fee simple or 99-year renewable leasehold. O.R.C. §5311.02
Budget must include reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items unless owners waive annually by majority vote. O.R.C. §5312.06
Association or any owner may commence civil action for damages, injunctive relief, or both, and recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees. O.R.C. §5312.13
Applies only to property submitted to the act by execution and filing of a declaration. O.R.C. §5311.02
Creating a condominium does not constitute a subdivision. O.R.C. §5311.02
Required officers: president, secretary, treasurer. O.R.C. §5311.08
Board may meet electronically or act by unanimous written consent. O.R.C. §5311.08
Not less than one-fifth of directors expire annually. O.R.C. §5311.08
All power exercised by a board of directors elected from unit owners or their spouses. O.R.C. §5311.08
Board must adopt an annual budget including reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless owners waive the reserve requirement annually by majority vote. O.R.C. §5311.081
Explicitly excludes condominiums from the definition of planned community. O.R.C. §5312.01
Defines key terms including planned community (where deeds/declarations require owners to join an association), common element, common expense, declaration, assessment, lot, and dwelling unit. O.R.C. §5312.01
Bylaws must address election procedures, board size, powers, manager hiring, amendment procedures, meeting logistics, and assessment collection. O.R.C. §5312.02
Applies to any planned community in Ohio. O.R.C. §5312.02
Requires filing and recording a declaration and bylaws with the county recorder. O.R.C. §5312.02
Board of directors is elected from owners and their spouses. O.R.C. §5312.03
Declarant must establish the association before the first lot conveyance. O.R.C. §5312.03
Board majority cannot consist of owners from the same lot. O.R.C. §5312.03
Meeting notice days, quorum, and proxy voting are delegated to the bylaws. O.R.C. §5312.04
Board must call at least one annual meeting of owners (except during declarant control). O.R.C. §5312.04
Board meetings may be held electronically. O.R.C. §5312.04
Special meetings may be called by the president, board majority, or owners representing 50% of voting power. O.R.C. §5312.04
Removal of discriminatory provisions requires only simple majority board vote. O.R.C. §5312.05
Enumerates 18 broad powers including budget adoption, hiring/firing, legal action, contracts, enforcement, rules adoption, property transactions, fee levying, borrowing, member discipline, insurance, and investments. O.R.C. §5312.06
Board must maintain liability insurance, fire and extended coverage at minimum 90% of replacement cost, and fidelity/crime insurance for anyone with fund access in an amount equal to maximum funds in custody plus three months of operating expenses. O.R.C. §5311.16
Records older than five years require board approval. O.R.C. §5312.07
Owners may examine and copy books, records, and minutes under reasonable standards. O.R.C. §5312.07
Developer must provide written disclosure containing 15 categories including project description, financing, warranties, two-year budget projection, reserve fund information, and pending litigation. O.R.C. §5311.26
Legal references last verified April 15, 2026. This content is educational and informational. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal guidance specific to your situation.
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