The Washington State Legislature has accelerated the application of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) for all existing Homeowner and Condominium Associations in the Pacific Northwest. This means that compliance with significant new requirements for meetings, governance, and transparency is now mandated by January 1, 2026—two years earlier than originally scheduled.
As your trusted reserve study partner, Pacific Crest Reserves is highlighting the key operational and financial changes your community must prepare for. These new rules, effective January 1, 2026, will fundamentally alter how your Board of Directors operates.
Key Accelerated Changes to Association Meetings and Governance
These provisions primarily address HOA meeting procedures, governance, and transparency, ensuring greater homeowner participation and accountability.
Meeting and Transparency Requirements
Mandatory Homeowner Comment Period: All Board meetings must now begin with at least
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Remote Meetings Permitted: Pacific Crest Reserves confirms that, regardless of what your existing governing documents state, HOAs may now hold meetings via telephone, video, or other electronic conferencing methods. No physical location is required, provided other legal notice requirements are met.
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Emergency Meeting Notices: For unforeseen, non-routine events, meeting notice may be reduced from 14 days to 7 days in advance, provided notice is sent via electronic communication.
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Access to Board Materials: Homeowners now have the right to request access to all written materials included in Board packets provided to directors for a meeting.
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Transparency in Governance: Additional, specific requirements for meeting notices and detailed recordkeeping will be enforced to ensure greater overall transparency.
Board Decision-Making & Elections
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Committee Decisions: Any delegated decision-making authority—such as that of an Architectural Review Committee (ARC)—must now have its major, Board-level decisions individually approved by the Board itself and recorded in the minutes.
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Board Election Ballots: To promote wider participation, all election ballots must include a blank space to allow for write-in candidates.
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Secret Ballots for Key Votes: Elections, Board member removals, and amendments to governing documents must be conducted via secret ballot. These ballots must be opened, counted, and the results accurately recorded in the minutes. A quorum is not required if proper ballot handling procedures are followed. Important Note: Candidates and current Board members may not access or count ballots in which they have a personal interest.
Key Financial and Property Rights Changes
These new rules impact the financial administration of your reserves and owner-initiated improvements.
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Reserve Fund Investments: Under the new mandate, no more than 50% of reserve funds may be invested at any given time. Furthermore, all investments must strictly comply with the prudent standards outlined in RCW 11.100.020.
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Assessment Payment Options: Associations must offer at least one fee-free method for owners to pay their regular assessments.
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Financial Transparency: Pacific Crest Reserves reminds Boards that WUCIOA now requires disclosure to owners of additional financial information, including details related to reserve studies, investment strategies, and financial reports.
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Resale Certificates: Like condominiums, all common interest communities must now provide a resale certificate in connection with unit sales. Buyers have 5 days to cancel the sale upon receipt.
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EV Charging Stations: Board approval may not be required for an owner to install an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in their unit/lot, unless the installation impacts a common element or connects to shared electrical infrastructure.
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Heat Pump Installations: Boards cannot unreasonably withhold approval for owners installing modern heat pump systems on or in common areas.
