Washington Condominium Act reserve study and reserve account provisions. Encourages a reserve account funded for thirty-year major maintenance, repair, and replacement of common and limited common elements. Requires an associations with significant assets to prepare and annually update a reserve study based on a visual site inspection by a reserve study professional, with a full inspection-based update at least every three years. Applies to condominiums governed by RCW 64.32 or 64.34 that are intended in whole or in part for residential purposes. Effective until January 1, 2028, when WUCIOA (RCW 64.90.545) fully supersedes the Condominium Act under ESSB 5796.
(1) An association is encouraged to establish a reserve account with a financial institution to fund major maintenance, repair, and replacement of common elements, including limited common elements that will require major maintenance, repair, or replacement within thirty years. If the association establishes a reserve account, the account must be in the name of the association. The board of directors is responsible for administering the reserve account. (2) Except as provided in RCW 64.90.080 and 64.90.545 , unless doing so would impose an unreasonable hardship, an association with significant assets shall prepare and update a reserve study, in accordance with the association's governing documents and RCW 64.34.224 (1). The initial reserve study must be based upon a visual site inspection conducted by a reserve study professional. (3) Except as provided in RCW 64.90.080 and 64.90.545 , unless doing so would impose an unreasonable hardship, the association shall update the reserve study annually. At least every three years, an updated reserve study must be prepared and based upon a visual site inspection conducted by a reserve study professional. (4) Except as provided in RCW 64.90.080 and 64.90.545 , this section and RCW 64.34.382 through 64.34.392 apply to condominiums governed by chapter 64.32 RCW or this chapter and intended in whole or in part for residential purposes. These sections do not apply to condominiums consisting solely of units that are restricted in the declaration to nonresidential use. An association's governing documents may contain stricter requirements. [ 2019 c 238 s 220 ; 2011 c 189 s 3 ; 2008 c 115 s 1 .] Notes: Effective date — 2011 c 189: See note following RCW 64.38.065 .
Compliance
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Requirement
(4)
The reserve-study regime covers residential condominiums formed under either the Horizontal Property Regimes Act (RCW 64.32) or the Condominium Act (RCW 64.34). Purely commercial condominiums are exempt, and a condominium's declaration or bylaws may impose stricter standards than the statute.
Reserves
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Requirement
(1)
The Condominium Act doesn't require a reserve account, but boards are encouraged to set one up — held in the association's name — to fund replacement of common elements over a thirty-year horizon. The board administers it; owners do not.
(2)
Condominiums with significant common-area assets must commission a professional reserve study with an on-site visual inspection — desk reviews alone do not satisfy the initial study requirement.
(3)
The board must refresh the reserve study every year (paper update is acceptable), and at least once every three years the update must be grounded in a fresh on-site visual inspection by a credentialed professional.
Legal references last verified May 23, 2026.
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