RCW 24.03A
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Washington's modern nonprofit corporation statute, enacted in 2021 (Chapter 176, Laws of 2021) and effective January 1, 2022. Replaces the old RCW 24.03 with a comprehensive framework based on the Model Nonprofit Corporation Act (Third Edition). Applies to every Washington nonprofit corporation including community-association HOAs and condominium associations — the chapter governs corporate structure, member rights, director duties, fundamental transactions, and dissolution alongside the HOA-specific statutes (RCW 64.34, 64.38, 64.90).
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Statutory Text
Verified Apr 19, 2026 · LEG_WA_GOV
Sections PART I FORMATION AND GENERAL CONDITIONS ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS HTML PDF 24.03A.005 Short title. HTML PDF 24.03A.010 Definitions. HTML PDF 24.03A.015 Notice. HTML PDF 24.03A.020 Service on corporations. HTML PDF 24.03A.025 Venue for actions. HTML PDF 24.03A.030 Application to existing nonprofit corporations. HTML PDF 24.03A.035 Application to registered foreign nonprofit corporations. HTML PDF 24.03A.040 Relationship to prior statutes. HTML PDF 24.03A.045 Relationship to other laws. HTML PDF 24.03A.050 Subordination to canon law. ARTICLE 2 FILING DOCUMENTS — SECRETARY OF STATE HTML PDF 24.03A.055 Applicability of uniform business organizations code. HTML PDF 24.03A.060 Filing requirements. HTML PDF 24.03A.065 Electronic filings. HTML PDF 24.03A.070 Annual report. HTML PDF 24.03A.075 Major changes by charitable corporations. HTML PDF 24.03A.080 Powers of secretary of state. HTML PDF 24.03A.085 Fees. ARTICLE 3 INCORPORATION HTML PDF 24.03A.090 Incorporators. HTML PDF 24.03A.095 Corporate name. HTML PDF 24.03A.100 Articles of incorporation. HTML PDF 24.03A.105 Effectiveness of incorporation. HTML PDF 24.03A.110 Requirement of registered agent. HTML PDF 24.03A.115 Liability for preincorporation transactions. HTML PDF 24.03A.120 Organization of corporations. HTML PDF 24.03A.125 Bylaws. ARTICLE 4 PURPOSES, POWERS, AND LIMITATIONS HTML PDF 24.03A.130 Purposes. HTML PDF 24.03A.135 Power to modify purposes. HTML PDF 24.03A.140 General powers. HTML PDF 24.03A.145 Emergency powers. HTML PDF 24.03A.150 Ultra vires action. HTML PDF 24.03A.155 Distributions prohibited. HTML PDF 24.03A.160 Reasonable compensation permitted. HTML PDF 24.03A.165 Property held for charitable purposes. HTML PDF 24.03A.170 Debt and security interests. HTML PDF 24.03A.175 Private foundations. ARTICLE 5 GIFT RESTRICTIONS HTML PDF 24.03A.180 Unrestricted gifts. HTML PDF 24.03A.185 Restricted gifts. HTML PDF 24.03A.190 Modification or release of gift restrictions. HTML PDF 24.03A.195 Binding agreement to modify or release restrictions. HTML PDF 24.03A.200 Judicial modification or release of restrictions. HTML PDF 24.03A.205 Charitable purpose survives. ARTICLE 6 BOOKS AND RECORDS HTML PDF 24.03A.210 Corporate records. HTML PDF 24.03A.215 Inspection by members. HTML PDF 24.03A.220 Scope of member's inspection right. HTML PDF 24.03A.225 Financial statements for members. HTML PDF 24.03A.230 Court-ordered inspection. HTML PDF 24.03A.235 Inspection by directors. HTML PDF 24.03A.240 Use of membership list. ARTICLE 7 PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS HTML PDF 24.03A.245 Public benefit designation. HTML PDF 24.03A.250 Application and renewal. HTML PDF 24.03A.255 Removal of status. ARTICLE 8 FOREIGN CORPORATIONS HTML PDF 24.03A.260 Registration to do business. HTML PDF 24.03A.265 Effect of registration. HTML PDF 24.03A.270 Name of foreign nonprofit corporation. HTML PDF 24.03A.275 Registered agent of foreign nonprofit corporation. HTML PDF 24.03A.280 Service on foreign nonprofit corporation. HTML PDF 24.03A.285 Withdrawal of registration. HTML PDF 24.03A.290 Withdrawal upon conversion or dissolution. HTML PDF 24.03A.295 Amendment to registration upon conversion. HTML PDF 24.03A.300 Transfer of registration. HTML PDF 24.03A.305 Termination of registration. HTML PDF 24.03A.310 Judicial review of termination. PART II GOVERNANCE ARTICLE 1 MEMBERS AND MEMBERSHIPS HTML PDF 24.03A.315 Members. HTML PDF 24.03A.320 Scope of membership. HTML PDF 24.03A.325 Admission of members. HTML PDF 24.03A.330 Consideration for admission. HTML PDF 24.03A.335 Capital contributions. HTML PDF 24.03A.340 Rights and obligations. HTML PDF 24.03A.345 Differences in rights and obligations. HTML PDF 24.03A.350 Transfers of membership. HTML PDF 24.03A.355 Member's …
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Governance
| Ref | Requirement |
|---|---|
| (chapter) | Most Washington HOAs are nonprofit corporations. That means they are governed by TWO statutes: their HOA-specific law (RCW 64.34, 64.38, or 64.90) AND the Nonprofit Corporation Act. When the two statutes overlap, the HOA-specific law generally controls operational questions; the Nonprofit Corporation Act controls corporate-structure questions. |
| (chapter) | Older WA HOA articles of incorporation reference RCW 24.03. Those references still work, but the operating statute is now RCW 24.03A — the prior chapter is repealed. HOAs amending their articles should update internal references to the new chapter. |
| (chapter) | The Nonprofit Corporation Act covers everything from how directors are elected to how the HOA can dissolve. HOA boards rely on this chapter for the corporate-governance machinery their bylaws don't address. |
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Legal references last verified May 23, 2026.
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