The Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA), as amended by Senate Bill 5796 (SB5796) passed in 2024, governs the formation, management, and termination of all Common Interest Communities (CICs) in Washington State.

This includes condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities (governed by homeowners’ associations). SB5796 brings Washington’s WUCIOA into alignment with the latest 2021 version of the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (UCIOA) framework.

Key changes brought by SB5796:

• WUCIOA now applies to ALL CICs, regardless of their creation date. Previously, it only applied to those formed after July 1, 2018. Existing CICs can still opt-in to WUCIOA’s provisions.
• The exemption for small communities remains. Communities with 12 units or less and annual assessments below $300 per unit are exempt from most provisions, as long as the declarant holds no rights for future alterations.
• Requires all associations (that are not exempt) regardless of when they incorporated to have current reserves studies.

Previously existing provisions:

• Section 326 of WUCIOA, requiring budget ratification with specific information disclosure, still applies to all CICs. This includes projected income, common expenses, assessment details, reserve contributions, and adherence to reserve study recommendations.
• Two other provisions remain unchanged:
  • The ability for any CIC to adopt WUCIOA regardless of formation date.
  • The mandatory budget ratification process for all community associations.

Overall, SB5796 simplifies the regulatory landscape for CICs in Washington by bringing all communities under a single, updated statute. For self-managed communities, familiarizing yourself with WUCIOA and potentially consulting with an association attorney is still recommended. The Act covers various aspects including annual/special meetings, notice requirements, rulemaking, financial recordkeeping, challenging board actions, and enforcing unpaid assessments through statutory liens.

Washington Senate Bill 5796 Report