RCW 64.32.010
Definitions.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Apartment" means a part of the property intended for any type of independent use, including one or more rooms or spaces located on one or more floors (or part or parts thereof) in a building, or if not in a building, a separately delineated place of storage or moorage of a boat, plane, or motor vehicle, regardless of whether it is destined for a residence, an office, storage or moorage of a boat, plane, or motor vehicle, the operation of any industry or business, or for any other use not prohibited by law, and which has a direct exit to a public street or highway, or to a common area leading to such street or highway. The boundaries of an apartment located in a building are the interior surfaces of the perimeter walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors thereof, and the apartment includes both the portions of the building so described and the air space so encompassed. If the apartment is a separately delineated place of storage or moorage of a boat, plane, or motor vehicle the boundaries are those specified in the declaration. In interpreting declarations, deeds, and plans, the existing physical boundaries of the apartment as originally constructed or as reconstructed in substantial accordance with the original plans thereof shall be conclusively presumed to be its boundaries rather than the metes and bounds expressed or depicted in the declaration, deed or plan, regardless of settling or lateral movement of the building and regardless of minor variance between boundaries shown in the declaration, deed, or plan and those of apartments in the building.
(2) "Apartment number" means the number, letter, or combination thereof, designating the apartment in the declaration as duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended.
(3) "Apartment owner" means the person or persons owning an apartment, as herein defined, in fee simple absolute or qualified, by way of leasehold or by way of a periodic estate, or in any other manner in which real property may be owned, leased or possessed in this state, together with an undivided interest in a like estate of the common areas and facilities in the percentage specified and established in the declaration as duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended.
(4) "Association of apartment owners" means all of the apartment owners acting as a group in accordance with the bylaws and with the declaration as it is duly recorded or as they may be lawfully amended.
(5) "Building" means a building, containing two or more apartments, or two or more buildings each containing one or more apartments, and comprising a part of the property.
(6) "Common areas and facilities", unless otherwise provided in the declaration as duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended, includes:
(a) The land on which the building is located;
(b) The foundations, columns, girders, beams, supports, main walls, roofs, halls, corridors, lobbys, stairs, stairways, fire escapes, and entrances and exits of the building;
(c) The basements, yards, gardens, parking areas and storage spaces;
(d) The premises for the lodging of janitors or persons in charge of the property;
(e) The installations of central services such as power, light, gas, hot and cold water, heating, refrigeration, air conditioning and incinerating;
(f) The elevators, tanks, pumps, motors, fans, compressors, ducts and in general all apparatus and installations existing for common use;
(g) Such community and commercial facilities as may be provided for in the declaration as duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended;
(h) All other parts of the property necessary or convenient to its existence, maintenance and safety, or normally in common use.
(7) "Common expenses" include:
(a) All sums lawfully assessed against the apartment owners by the association of apartment owners;
(b) Expenses of administration, maintenance, repair, or replacement of the common areas and facilities;
(c) Expenses agreed upon as common expenses by the association of apartment owners;
(d) Expenses declared common expenses by the provisions of this chapter, or by the declaration as it is duly recorded, or by the bylaws, or as they may be lawfully amended.
(8) "Common profits" means the balance of all income, rents, profits and revenues from the common areas and facilities remaining after the deduction of the common expenses.
(9) "Declaration" means the instrument by which the property is submitted to provisions of this chapter, as hereinafter provided, and as it may be, from time to time, lawfully amended.
(10) "Electronic transmission" or "electronically transmitted" means any electronic communication not directly involving the physical transfer of a writing in a tangible medium, but that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by the sender and the recipient of the communication, and that may be directly reproduced in a tangible medium by a sender and recipient.
(11) "Land" means the material of the earth, whatever may be the ingredients of which it is composed, whether soil, rock, or other substance, whether or not submerged, and includes free or occupied space for an indefinite distance upwards as well as downwards, subject to limitations upon the use of airspace imposed, and rights in the use of the airspace granted, by the laws of this state or of the United States.
(12) "Limited common areas and facilities" includes those common areas and facilities designated in the declaration, as it is duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended, as reserved for use of certain apartment or apartments to the exclusion of the other apartments.
(13) "Majority" or "majority of apartment owners" means the apartment owners with fifty-one percent or more of the votes in accordance with the percentages assigned in the declaration, as duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended, to the apartments for voting purposes.
(14) "Percent of the apartment owners" means the apartment owners with the stated percent or more of the votes in accordance with the percentages assigned in the declaration, as duly recorded or as it may be lawfully amended, to the apartments for voting purposes.
(15) "Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, trustee, or other legal entity.
(16) "Property" means the land, the building, all improvements and structures thereon, all owned in fee simple absolute or qualified, by way of leasehold or by way of a periodic estate, or in any other manner in which real property may be owned, leased or possessed in this state, and all easements, rights and appurtenances belonging thereto, none of which shall be considered as a security or security interest, and all articles of personalty intended for use in connection therewith, which have been or are intended to be submitted to the provisions of this chapter.
(17) "Tangible medium" means a writing, copy of a writing, facsimile, or a physical reproduction, each on paper or on other tangible material.
[
2021 c 227 s 1
;
2008 c 114 s 3
;
1987 c 383 s 1
;
1981 c 304 s 34
;
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 1
;
1963 c 156 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015
(2)(k).
Applicability of RCW 64.32.010
(1) to houseboat moorages:
"The provisions of section 34 (1) shall not apply to moorages for houseboats without the approval of the local municipality." [
1981 c 304 s 35
.]
Severability
—
1981 c 304:
See note following RCW 26.16.030
.
RCW 64.32.020
Application of chapter.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
This chapter shall be applicable only to property, the sole owner or all of the owners, lessees or possessors of which submit the same to the provisions hereof by duly executing and recording a declaration as hereinafter provided.
[
1963 c 156 s 2
.]
RCW 64.32.030
Apartments and common areas declared real property.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Each apartment, together with its undivided interest in the common areas and facilities shall not be considered as an intangible or a security or any interest therein but shall for all purposes constitute and be classified as real property.
[
1963 c 156 s 3
.]
RCW 64.32.040
Ownership and possession of apartments and common areas.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Each apartment owner shall be entitled to the exclusive ownership and possession of his or her apartment but any apartment may be jointly or commonly owned by more than one person. Each apartment owner shall have the common right to a share, with other apartment owners, in the common areas and facilities.
[
2012 c 117 s 197
;
1963 c 156 s 4
.]
RCW 64.32.050
Common areas and facilities.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) Each apartment owner shall be entitled to an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities in the percentage expressed in the declaration. Such percentage shall be computed by taking as a basis the value of the apartment in relation to the value of the property.
(2) The percentage of the undivided interest of each apartment owner in the common areas and facilities as expressed in the declaration shall not be altered except in accordance with procedures set forth in the bylaws and by amending the declaration. The percentage of the undivided interest in the common areas and facilities shall not be separated from the apartment to which it appertains even though such interest is not expressly mentioned or described in the conveyance or other instrument. Nothing in this section or this chapter shall be construed to detract from or limit the powers and duties of any assessing or taxing unit or official which is otherwise granted or imposed by law, rule, or regulation.
(3) The common areas and facilities shall remain undivided and no apartment owner or any other person shall bring any action for partition or division of any part thereof, unless the property has been removed from the provisions of this chapter as provided in RCW 64.32.150
and
64.32.230
. Any covenant to the contrary shall be void. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as a limitation on the right of partition by joint owners or owners in common of one or more apartments as to the ownership of such apartment or apartments.
(4) Each apartment owner shall have a nonexclusive easement for, and may use the common areas and facilities in accordance with the purpose for which they were intended without hindering or encroaching upon the lawful right of the other apartment owners.
(5) The necessary work of maintenance, repair and replacement of the common areas and facilities and the making of any addition or improvement thereto shall be carried out only as provided in this chapter and in the bylaws.
(6) The association of apartment owners shall have the irrevocable right, to be exercised by the manager or board of directors, to have access to each apartment from time to time during reasonable hours as may be necessary for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of any of the common areas and facilities therein or accessible therefrom, or for making emergency repairs therein necessary to prevent damage to the common areas and facilities or to another apartment or apartments.
[
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 2
;
1963 c 156 s 5
.]
RCW 64.32.060
Compliance with covenants, bylaws, and administrative rules and regulations.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Each apartment owner shall comply strictly with the bylaws and with the administrative rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, as either may be lawfully amended from time to time, and with the covenants, conditions, and restrictions set forth in the declaration or in the deed to his or her apartment. Failure to comply with any of the foregoing shall be ground for an action to recover sums due, for damages or injunctive relief, or both, maintainable by the manager or board of directors on behalf of the association of apartment owners or by a particularly aggrieved apartment owner.
[
2012 c 117 s 198
;
1963 c 156 s 6
.]
RCW 64.32.070
Liens or encumbrances
—
Enforcement
—
Satisfaction.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) Subsequent to recording the declaration as provided in this chapter, and while the property remains subject to this chapter, no lien shall thereafter arise or be effective against the property. During such period, liens or encumbrances shall arise or be created only against each apartment and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities and appurtenant to such apartment in the same manner and under the same conditions in every respect as liens or encumbrances may arise or be created upon or against any other separate parcel of real property subject to individual ownership: PROVIDED, That no labor performed or materials furnished with the consent of or at the request of the owner of any apartment, or such owner's agent, contractor, or subcontractor, shall be the basis for the filing of a lien against any other apartment or any other property of any other apartment owner not expressly consenting to or requesting the same, except that such express consent shall be deemed to be given by any apartment owner in the case of emergency repairs. Labor performed or materials furnished for the common areas and facilities, if authorized by the association of apartment owners, the manager or board of directors shall be deemed to be performed or furnished with the express consent of each apartment owner and shall be the basis for the filing of a lien against each of the apartments and shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.
(2) In the event a lien against two or more apartments becomes effective, the apartment owners of the separate apartments may remove their apartment and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant to such apartment from the lien by payment of the fractional or proportional amounts attributable to each of the apartments affected. Such individual payments shall be computed by reference to the percentages appearing on the declaration. Subsequent to any such payment, discharge, or satisfaction, the apartment and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant thereto shall thereafter be free and clear of the liens so paid, satisfied, or discharged. Such partial payment, satisfaction, or discharge shall not prevent the lienor from proceeding to enforce his or her rights against any apartment and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant thereto not so paid, satisfied, or discharged.
[
2012 c 117 s 199
;
1963 c 156 s 7
.]
RCW 64.32.080
Common profits and expenses.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The common profits of the property shall be distributed among, and the common expenses shall be charged to, the apartment owners according to the percentage of the undivided interest in the common areas and facilities.
[
1963 c 156 s 8
.]
RCW 64.32.090
Contents of declaration.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The declaration shall contain the following:
(1) A description of the land on which the building and improvement are or are to be located;
(2) A description of the building, stating the number of stories and basements, the number of apartments and the principal materials of which it is or is to be constructed;
(3) The apartment number of each apartment, and a statement of its location, approximate area, number of rooms, and immediate common area to which it has access, and any other data necessary for its proper identification;
(4) A description of the common areas and facilities;
(5) A description of the limited common areas and facilities, if any, stating to which apartments their use is reserved;
(6) The value of the property and of each apartment, and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appertaining to each apartment and its owner for all purposes, including voting;
(7) A statement of the purposes for which the building and each of the apartments are intended and restricted as to use;
(8) The name of a person to receive service of process in the cases provided for in this chapter, together with a residence or place of business of such person which shall be within the county in which the building is located;
(9) A provision as to the percentage of votes by the apartment owners which shall be determinative of whether to rebuild, repair, restore, or sell the property in event of damage or destruction of all or part of the property;
(10) A provision authorizing and establishing procedures for the subdividing and/or combining of any apartment or apartments, common areas and facilities or limited common areas and facilities, which procedures may provide for the accomplishment thereof through means of a metes and bounds description;
(11) A provision requiring the adoption of bylaws for the administration of the property or for other purposes not inconsistent with this chapter, which may include whether administration of the property shall be by a board of directors elected from among the apartment owners, by a manager, or managing agent, or otherwise, and the procedures for the adoption thereof and amendments thereto;
(12) Any further details in connection with the property which the person executing the declaration may deem desirable to set forth consistent with this chapter; and
(13) The method by which the declaration may be amended, consistent with this chapter: PROVIDED, That not less than sixty percent of the apartment owners shall consent to any amendment except that any amendment altering the value of the property and of each apartment and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities shall require the unanimous consent of the apartment owners.
[
1963 c 156 s 9
.]
RCW 64.32.100
Copy of survey map, building plans to be filed
—
Contents of plans.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Simultaneously with the recording of the declaration there shall be filed in the office of the county auditor of the county in which the property is located a survey map of the surface of the land submitted to the provisions of this chapter showing the location or proposed location of the building or buildings thereon.
There also shall be filed simultaneously, a set of plans of the building or buildings showing as to each apartment:
(1) The vertical and horizontal boundaries, as defined in RCW 64.32.010
(1), in sufficient detail to identify and locate such boundaries relative to the survey map of the surface of the land by the use of standard survey methods;
(2) The number of the apartment and its dimensions;
(3) The approximate square footage of each unit;
(4) The number of bathrooms, whole or partial;
(5) The number of rooms to be used primarily as bedrooms;
(6) The number of built-in fireplaces;
(7) A statement of any scenic view which might affect the value of the apartment; and
(8) The initial value of the apartment relative to the other apartments in the building.
The set of plans shall bear the verified statement of a registered architect, registered professional engineer, or registered land surveyor certifying that the plans accurately depict the location and dimensions of the apartments as built.
If such plans do not include such verified statement there shall be recorded prior to the first conveyance of any apartment an amendment to the declaration to which shall be attached a verified statement of a registered architect, registered professional engineer, or registered land surveyor, certifying that the plans theretofore filed or being filed simultaneously with such amendment, fully and accurately depict the apartment numbers, dimensions, and locations of the apartments as built.
Such plans shall each contain a reference to the date of recording of the declaration and the volume, page and county auditor's receiving number of the recorded declaration. Correspondingly, the record of the declaration or amendment thereof shall contain a reference to the file number of the plans of the building affected thereby.
All plans filed shall be in such style, size, form and quality as shall be prescribed by the county auditor of the county where filed, and a copy shall be delivered to the county assessor.
[
1987 c 383 s 2
;
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 3
;
1963 c 156 s 10
.]
NOTES:
Fees for filing condominium surveys, maps, or plats: RCW 58.24.070
.
RCW 64.32.110
Ordinances, resolutions, or zoning laws
—
Construction.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Local ordinances, resolutions, or laws relating to zoning shall be construed to treat like structures, lots, or parcels in like manner regardless of whether the ownership thereof is divided by sale of apartments under this chapter rather than by lease of apartments.
[
1963 c 156 s 11
.]
RCW 64.32.120
Contents of deeds or other conveyances of apartments.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Deeds or other conveyances of apartments shall include the following:
(1) A description of the land as provided in RCW 64.32.090, or the post office address of the property, including in either case the date of recording of the declaration and the volume and page or county auditor's recording number of the recorded declaration;
(2) The apartment number of the apartment in the declaration and any other data necessary for its proper identification;
(3) A statement of the use for which the apartment is intended;
(4) The percentage of undivided interest appertaining to the apartment, the common areas and facilities and limited common areas and facilities appertaining thereto, if any;
(5) Any further details which the grantor and grantee may deem desirable to set forth consistent with the declaration and with this chapter.
[
1999 c 233 s 9
;
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 4
;
1963 c 156 s 12
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1999 c 233:
See note following RCW 4.28.320
.
RCW 64.32.130
Mortgages, liens or encumbrances affecting an apartment at time of first conveyance.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
At the time of the first conveyance of each apartment, every mortgage, lien, or other encumbrance affecting such apartment, including the percentage of undivided interest of the apartment in the common areas and facilities, shall be paid and satisfied of record, or the apartment being conveyed and its percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities shall be released therefrom by partial release duly recorded.
[
1963 c 156 s 13
.]
RCW 64.32.140
Recording.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The declaration, any amendment thereto, any instrument by which the property may be removed from this chapter and every instrument affecting the property or any apartment shall be entitled to be recorded in the office of the auditor of the county in which the property is located. Neither the declaration nor any amendment thereof shall be valid unless duly recorded.
[
1963 c 156 s 14
.]
RCW 64.32.150
Removal of property from provisions of chapter.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) All of the apartment owners may remove a property from the provisions of this chapter by an instrument to that effect duly recorded: PROVIDED, That the mortgagees and holders of all liens affecting any of the apartments consent thereto or agree, in either case by instrument duly recorded, that their mortgages and liens be transferred to the percentage of the undivided interest of the apartment owner in the property as hereinafter provided;
(2) Upon removal of the property from the provisions of this chapter, the property shall be deemed to be owned in common by the apartment owners. The undivided interest in the property owned in common which shall appertain to each apartment owner shall be the percentage of the undivided interest previously owned by such owners in the common areas and facilities.
(3) Subject to RCW 64.34.010
(1) and (2) and the rights of mortgagees and the holders of all liens affecting any of the apartments, the apartment owners may remove a property from the provisions of this chapter and terminate the condominium in the manner set forth in RCW 64.34.268
(1) through (7) and (10), in which event all of the provisions of RCW 64.34.268
(1) through (7) and (10) shall apply to such removal in lieu of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
[
2008 c 114 s 2
;
1963 c 156 s 15
.]
RCW 64.32.160
Removal of property from provisions of chapter
—
No bar to subsequent resubmission.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The removal provided for in RCW 64.32.150
shall in no way bar the subsequent resubmission of the property to the provisions of this chapter.
[
1963 c 156 s 16
.]
RCW 64.32.170
Records and books
—
Requirements for retaining
—
Availability for examination
—
Audits.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) An association of apartment owners must retain the following:
(a) The current budget, detailed records of receipts and expenditures affecting the operation and administration of the association, and other appropriate accounting records within the last seven years;
(b) Minutes of all meetings of its apartment owners and board other than executive sessions, a record of all actions taken by the apartment owners or board without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee in place of the board on behalf of the association;
(c) The names of current apartment owners, addresses used by the association to communicate with them, and the number of votes allocated to each apartment;
(d) Its original or restated declaration, organizational documents, all amendments to the declaration and organizational documents, and all rules currently in effect;
(e) All financial statements and tax returns of the association for the past seven years;
(f) A list of the names and addresses of its current board members and officers;
(g) Its most recent annual report delivered to the secretary of state, if any;
(h) Copies of contracts to which it is or was a party within the last seven years;
(i) Materials relied upon by the board or any committee to approve or deny any requests for design or architectural approval for a period of seven years after the decision is made;
(j) Materials relied upon by the board or any committee concerning a decision to enforce the governing documents for a period of seven years after the decision is made;
(k) Copies of insurance policies under which the association is a named insured;
(l) Any current warranties provided to the association;
(m) Copies of all notices provided to apartment owners or the association in accordance with this chapter or the governing documents;
(n) Ballots, proxies, absentee ballots, and other records related to voting by apartment owners for one year after the election, action, or vote to which they relate; and
(o) The preforeclosure information required by RCW 64.32.200
(4).
(2)(a) Subject to subsections (3) through (5) of this section, and except as provided in (b) of this subsection, all records required to be retained by an association of apartment owners must be made available for examination and copying by all apartment owners, holders of mortgages on the apartments, and their respective authorized agents as follows, unless agreed otherwise:
(i) During reasonable business hours or at a mutually convenient time and location; and
(ii) At the offices of the association or its managing agent.
(b) The list of apartment owners required to be retained by an association under subsection (1)(c) of this section is not required to be made available for examination and copying by holders of mortgages on the apartments.
(3) Records retained by an association of apartment owners must have the following information redacted or otherwise removed prior to disclosure:
(a) Personnel and medical records relating to specific individuals;
(b) Contracts, leases, and other commercial transactions to purchase or provide goods or services currently being negotiated;
(c) Existing or potential litigation or mediation, arbitration, or administrative proceedings;
(d) Existing or potential matters involving federal, state, or local administrative or other formal proceedings before a governmental tribunal for enforcement of the governing documents;
(e) Legal advice or communications that are otherwise protected by the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine, including communications with the managing agent or other agent of the association;
(f) Information the disclosure of which would violate a court order or law;
(g) Records of an executive session of the board;
(h) Individual apartment files other than those of the requesting apartment owner;
(i) Unlisted telephone number or electronic address of any apartment owner or resident;
(j) Security access information provided to the association for emergency purposes; or
(k) Agreements that for good cause prohibit disclosure to the members.
(4) In addition to the requirements in subsection (3) of this section, an association of apartment owners must, prior to disclosure of the list of apartment owners required to be retained by an association under subsection (1)(c) of this section, redact or otherwise remove the address of any apartment owner or resident who is known to the association to be a participant in the address confidentiality program described in chapter
40.24
RCW or any similar program established by law.
(5)(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, an association of apartment owners may charge a reasonable fee for producing and providing copies of any records under this section and for supervising the apartment owner's inspection.
(b) An apartment owner is entitled to receive a free annual electronic or paper copy of the list retained under subsection (1)(c) of this section from the association.
(c) An apartment owner is entitled to receive a free electronic or paper copy of the preforeclosure information retained under subsection (1)(o) of this section from the association which must be provided in English and any other language indicated as a preference for correspondence by an apartment owner. Translation inaccuracies shall not diminish a good faith effort to provide preforeclosure information in a preferred language other than English.
(6) A right to copy records under this section includes the right to receive copies by photocopying or other means, including through an electronic transmission if available upon request by the apartment owner.
(7) An association of apartment owners is not obligated to compile or synthesize information.
(8) Information provided pursuant to this section may not be used for commercial purposes.
(9) An association of apartment owners' managing agent must deliver all of the association's original books and records to the association immediately upon termination of its management relationship with the association, or upon such other demand as is made by the board. An association managing agent may keep copies of the association records at its own expense.
(10) All books and records shall be kept in accordance with good accounting procedures and be audited at least once a year by an auditor outside of the organization.
(11) This section applies to records in the possession of the association on July 23, 2023, and to records created or maintained after July 23, 2023. An association has no liability under this section for records disposed of prior to July 23, 2023.
[
2025 c 393 s 15
;
2023 c 409 s 1
;
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 5
;
1963 c 156 s 17
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2025 c 393 ss 1, 2, 4, 11-13, and 15-17:
See note following RCW 61.24.005
.
RCW 64.32.180
Exemption from liability for contribution for common expenses prohibited.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
No apartment owner may exempt himself or herself from liability for his or her contribution towards the common expenses by waiver of the use or enjoyment of any of the common areas and facilities or by abandonment of his or her apartment.
[
2012 c 117 s 200
;
1963 c 156 s 18
.]
RCW 64.32.190
Separate assessments and taxation.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Each apartment and its undivided interest in the common areas and facilities shall be deemed to be a parcel and shall be subject to separate assessments and taxation by each assessing unit for all types of taxes authorized by law including but not limited to special ad valorem levies and special assessments. Neither the building, nor the property, nor any of the common areas and facilities shall be deemed to be a security or a parcel for any purpose.
[
1963 c 156 s 19
.]
RCW 64.32.200
Assessments for common expenses
—
Enforcement of collection
—
Liens and foreclosures
—
Liability of mortgagee or purchaser
—
Notice of delinquency
—
Second notice.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1) The declaration may provide for the collection of all sums assessed by the association of apartment owners for the share of the common expenses chargeable to any apartment and the collection may be enforced in any manner provided in the declaration including, but not limited to, (a) 10 days notice shall be given the delinquent apartment owner to the effect that unless such assessment is paid within 10 days any or all utility services will be forthwith severed and shall remain severed until such assessment is paid, or (b) collection of such assessment may be made by such lawful method of enforcement, judicial or extra-judicial, as may be provided in the declaration and/or bylaws.
(2) All sums assessed by the association of apartment owners but unpaid for the share of the common expenses chargeable to any apartment shall constitute a lien on such apartment prior to all other liens except only (a) tax liens on the apartment in favor of any assessing unit and/or special district, and (b) all sums unpaid on all mortgages of record. Such lien is not subject to the ban against execution or forced sales of homesteads under RCW 6.13.080
and, subject to the provisions in subsection (5) of this section, may be foreclosed by suit by the manager or board of directors, acting on behalf of the apartment owners, in like manner as a mortgage of real property. In any such foreclosure the apartment owner shall be required to pay a reasonable rental for the apartment, if so provided in the bylaws, and the plaintiff in such foreclosures shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver to collect the same. The manager or board of directors, acting on behalf of the apartment owners, shall have power, unless prohibited by the declaration, to bid on the apartment at foreclosure sale, and to acquire and hold, lease, mortgage, and convey the same. Upon an express waiver in the complaint of any right to a deficiency judgment, the period of redemption shall be eight months after the sale. Suit to recover any judgment for any unpaid common expenses shall be maintainable without foreclosing or waiving the liens securing the same.
(3) Where the mortgagee of a mortgage of record or other purchaser of an apartment obtains possession of the apartment as a result of foreclosure of the mortgage, such possessor, his or her successors and assigns shall not be liable for the share of the common expenses or assessments by the association of apartment owners chargeable to such apartment which became due prior to such possession. Such unpaid share of common expenses of assessments shall be deemed to be common expenses collectible from all of the apartment owners including such possessor, his or her successors and assigns.
(4)(a) When the association, or the manager or board of directors on its behalf, mails to the apartment owner by first-class mail the first notice of delinquency for past due assessments to the apartment address and to any other address that the owner has provided to the association, the association shall include a first preforeclosure notice that states as follows:
THIS IS A NOTICE OF DELINQUENCY FOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS
FROM THE APARTMENT OWNERS' ASSOCIATION TO WHICH YOUR HOME BELONGS.
THIS NOTICE IS ONE STEP IN A PROCESS THAT COULD RESULT IN YOUR LOSING YOUR HOME
.
CONTACT A HOUSING COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW
to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might benefit.
DO NOT DELAY
.
BE CAREFUL
of people who claim they can help you. There are many individuals and businesses that prey upon borrowers in distress.
REFER TO THE CONTACTS BELOW
for sources of assistance.
SEEKING ASSISTANCE
Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following:
The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Housing Finance Commission
Telephone: . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . .
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
Telephone: . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . .
The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys
Telephone: . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . .
The association shall obtain the toll-free numbers and website information from the department of commerce for inclusion in the notice.
(b) If, when a delinquent account is referred to an association's attorney, the first preforeclosure notice required under (a) of this subsection has not yet been mailed to the apartment owner, the association or the association's attorney shall mail the first preforeclosure notice to the apartment owner in order to satisfy the requirement in (a) of this subsection.
(c) Mailing the first preforeclosure notice pursuant to (a) of this subsection does not satisfy the requirement in subsection (5)(b) of this section to mail a second preforeclosure notice at or after the date that assessments have become past due for at least 90 days. The second preforeclosure notice may not be mailed sooner than 60 days after the first preforeclosure notice is mailed.
(5) An association, or the manager or board of directors on its behalf, may not commence an action to foreclose a lien on an apartment under this section unless:
(a) The apartment owner, at the time the action is commenced, owes at least a sum equal to the greater of:
(i) Three months or more of assessments, not including fines, late charges, interest, attorneys' fees, or costs incurred by the association in connection with the collection of a delinquent owner's account; or
(ii) $2,000 of assessments, not including fines, late charges, interest, attorneys' fees, or costs incurred by the association in connection with the collection of a delinquent owner's account;
(b) At or after the date that assessments have become past due for at least 90 days, but no sooner than 60 days after the first preforeclosure notice required in subsection (4)(a) of this section is mailed, the association has mailed, by first-class mail, to the owner, at the apartment address and to any other address which the owner has provided to the association, a second notice of delinquency, which must include a second preforeclosure notice that contains the same information as the first preforeclosure notice provided to the apartment owner pursuant to subsection (4)(a) of this section. The second preforeclosure notice may not be mailed sooner than 60 days after the first preforeclosure notice required in subsection (4)(a) of this section is mailed;
(c) At least 90 days have elapsed from the date the minimum amount required in (a) of this subsection has accrued; and
(d) The board approves commencement of a foreclosure action specifically against that apartment.
(6) Every aspect of a collection, foreclosure, sale, or other conveyance under this section, including the method, advertising, time, date, place, and terms, must be commercially reasonable.
[
2023 c 214 s 2
;
2021 c 222 s 4
;
2021 c 222 s 3
;
2012 c 117 s 201
;
1988 c 192 s 2
;
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 6
;
1963 c 156 s 20
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2023 c 214 ss 2, 4, 6, and 8:
"Sections 2, 4, 6, and 8 of this act take effect January 1, 2025." [
2023 c 214 s 12
.]
Effective date
—
2021 c 222 ss 2, 4, 6, and 8:
See note following RCW 64.90.485
.
PDF
RCW 64.32.200
Assessments for common expenses
—
Enforcement of collection
—
Liens and foreclosures
—
Liability of mortgagee or purchaser
—
Notice of delinquency
—
Second notice.
(Effective January 1, 2026, until January 1, 2028.)
(1) The declaration may provide for the collection of all sums assessed by the association of apartment owners for the share of the common expenses chargeable to any apartment and the collection may be enforced in any manner provided in the declaration including, but not limited to, (a) 10 days notice shall be given the delinquent apartment owner to the effect that unless such assessment is paid within 10 days any or all utility services will be forthwith severed and shall remain severed until such assessment is paid, or (b) collection of such assessment may be made by such lawful method of enforcement, judicial or extra-judicial, as may be provided in the declaration and/or bylaws.
(2) All sums assessed by the association of apartment owners but unpaid for the share of the common expenses chargeable to any apartment shall constitute a lien on such apartment prior to all other liens except only (a) tax liens on the apartment in favor of any assessing unit and/or special district, and (b) all sums unpaid on all mortgages of record. Such lien is not subject to the ban against execution or forced sales of homesteads under RCW 6.13.080
and, subject to the provisions in subsection (5) of this section, may be foreclosed by suit by the manager or board of directors, acting on behalf of the apartment owners, in like manner as a mortgage of real property. In any such foreclosure the apartment owner shall be required to pay a reasonable rental for the apartment, if so provided in the bylaws, and the plaintiff in such foreclosures shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver to collect the same. The manager or board of directors, acting on behalf of the apartment owners, shall have power, unless prohibited by the declaration, to bid on the apartment at foreclosure sale, and to acquire and hold, lease, mortgage, and convey the same. Upon an express waiver in the complaint of any right to a deficiency judgment, the period of redemption shall be eight months after the sale. Suit to recover any judgment for any unpaid common expenses shall be maintainable without foreclosing or waiving the liens securing the same.
(3) Where the mortgagee of a mortgage of record or other purchaser of an apartment obtains possession of the apartment as a result of foreclosure of the mortgage, such possessor, his or her successors and assigns shall not be liable for the share of the common expenses or assessments by the association of apartment owners chargeable to such apartment which became due prior to such possession. Such unpaid share of common expenses of assessments shall be deemed to be common expenses collectible from all of the apartment owners including such possessor, his or her successors and assigns.
(4)(a) No later than 30 days after an assessment becomes past due, an association must provide a notice of delinquency to an apartment owner by first-class mail that meets the following criteria. The notice of delinquency must:
(i) Be mailed to the apartment address and to any other address that an apartment owner has provided to the association for the transmission of notice, and by email if the apartment owner's electronic address is known to the association;
(ii) Be provided in English and any other language indicated as a preference for correspondence by an apartment owner. Translation inaccuracies shall not diminish a good faith effort to provide notice in a preferred language other than English; and
(iii) Include a first preforeclosure notice that states as follows:
THIS IS A NOTICE OF DELINQUENCY FOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS
FROM THE APARTMENT OWNERS' ASSOCIATION TO WHICH YOUR HOME BELONGS.
THIS NOTICE IS ONE STEP IN A PROCESS THAT COULD RESULT IN YOUR LOSING YOUR HOME
.
CONTACT A HOUSING COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW
to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might benefit.
DO NOT DELAY
.
BE CAREFUL
of people who claim they can help you. There are many individuals and businesses that prey upon borrowers in distress.
REFER TO THE CONTACTS BELOW
for sources of assistance.
SEEKING ASSISTANCE
Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. Housing counselors and attorneys may assist you in meeting and conferring with your association to resolve the past due assessments, and based on the circumstances refer you to the foreclosure mediation program. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following:
The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Housing Finance Commission
Telephone: . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . .
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
Telephone: . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . .
The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys
Telephone: . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . .
The association shall obtain the toll-free numbers and website information from the department of commerce for inclusion in the notice.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, until the 15th day after providing an apartment owner with a notice of delinquency that meets the requirements in (a) of this subsection, an association may not:
(i) Take any other action to collect a delinquent assessment; or
(ii) Charge an apartment owner for any costs related to the collection of the delinquent assessment except for:
(A) The actual costs of printing and mailing the notice of delinquency;
(B) An administrative fee of no more than $10 related to providing the notice of delinquency; and
(C) A single late fee of no more than $50 or five percent of the amount of the unpaid assessment which triggered the fee, whichever is less.
(c) If, when a delinquent account is referred to an association's attorney, the first preforeclosure notice required under (a) of this subsection has not yet been mailed to the apartment owner, the association or the association's attorney shall mail the first preforeclosure notice to the apartment owner in order to satisfy the requirement in (a) of this subsection.
(d) Mailing the first preforeclosure notice pursuant to (a) of this subsection does not satisfy the requirement in subsection (5)(b) of this section to mail a second preforeclosure notice at or after the date that assessments have become past due for at least 90 days. The second preforeclosure notice may not be mailed sooner than 60 days after the first preforeclosure notice is mailed.
(e) The association must maintain the preforeclosure information required under this section and make it available to apartment owners in accordance with RCW 64.32.170
.
(5) An association, or the manager or board of directors on its behalf, may not commence an action to foreclose a lien on an apartment under this section unless:
(a) The apartment owner, at the time the action is commenced, owes at least a sum equal to the greater of:
(i) Three months or more of assessments, not including fines, late charges, interest, attorneys' fees, or costs incurred by the association in connection with the collection of a delinquent owner's account; or
(ii) $2,000 of assessments, not including fines, late charges, interest, attorneys' fees, or costs incurred by the association in connection with the collection of a delinquent owner's account;
(b) At or after the date that assessments have become past due for at least 90 days, but no sooner than 60 days after the first preforeclosure notice required in subsection (4)(a) of this section is mailed, the association has mailed, by first-class mail, to the owner, at the apartment address and to any other address which the owner has provided to the association, a second notice of delinquency, which must include a second preforeclosure notice that contains the same information as the first preforeclosure notice provided to the apartment owner pursuant to subsection (4)(a) of this section. The second preforeclosure notice may not be mailed sooner than 60 days after the first preforeclosure notice required in subsection (4)(a) of this section is mailed;
(c) At least 90 days have elapsed from the date the minimum amount required in (a) of this subsection has accrued;
(d) If the apartment owner was referred to mediation pursuant to RCW 61.24.163, until the mediation is completed and the certification of mediation is issued or after 10 days from the date the mediator's certification was due to the association; and
(e) The board approves commencement of a foreclosure action specifically against that apartment.
(6) Every aspect of a collection, foreclosure, sale, or other conveyance under this section, including the method, advertising, time, date, place, and terms, must be commercially reasonable.
[
2025 c 393 s 11
;
2023 c 214 s 2
; (2023 c 214 s 1 expired January 1, 2025);
2021 c 222 s 4
; (2021 c 222 s 3 expired January 1, 2025);
2012 c 117 s 201
;
1988 c 192 s 2
;
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 6
;
1963 c 156 s 20
.]
NOTES:
Effective dates
—
2025 c 393 ss 1-4, 5-7, and 11-14:
See note following RCW 61.24.005
.
Expiration date
—
2025 c 393 ss 1, 2, 4, 11-13, and 15-17:
See note following RCW 61.24.005
.
Effective date
—
2023 c 214 ss 2, 4, 6, and 8:
"Sections 2, 4, 6, and 8 of this act take effect January 1, 2025." [
2023 c 214 s 12
.]
Expiration date
—
2023 c 214 ss 1, 3, 5, and 7:
"Sections 1, 3, 5, and 7 of this act expire January 1, 2025." [
2023 c 214 s 11
.]
Effective date
—
2021 c 222 ss 2, 4, 6, and 8:
See note following RCW 64.90.485
.
Expiration date
—
Effective date
—
2021 c 222 ss 1, 3, 5, and 7:
See notes following RCW 64.90.485
.
RCW 64.32.210
Conveyance
—
Liability of grantor and grantee for unpaid common expenses.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
In a voluntary conveyance the grantee of an apartment shall be jointly and severally liable with the grantor for all unpaid assessments against the latter for his or her share of the common expenses up to the time of the grantor's conveyance, without prejudice to the grantee's right to recover from the grantor the amounts paid by the grantee therefor. Any such grantee shall be entitled to a statement from the manager or board of directors, as the case may be, setting forth the amount of the unpaid assessments against the grantor and such grantee shall not be liable for, nor shall the apartment conveyed be subject to a lien for, any unpaid assessments against the grantor in excess of the amount therein set forth.
[
2012 c 117 s 202
;
1963 c 156 s 21
.]
RCW 64.32.220
Insurance.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The manager or board of directors, if required by the declaration, bylaws, or by a majority of the apartment owners, or at the request of a mortgagee having a mortgage of record covering an apartment, shall obtain insurance for the property against loss or damage by fire and such other hazards under such terms and for such amounts as shall be required or requested. Such insurance coverage shall be written on the property in the name of the manager or of the board of directors of the association of apartment owners, as trustee for each of the apartment owners in the percentages established in the declaration. Premiums shall be common expenses. Provision for such insurance shall be without prejudice to the right of each apartment owner to insure his or her own apartment and/or the personal contents thereof for his or her benefit.
[
2012 c 117 s 203
;
1963 c 156 s 22
.]
RCW 64.32.230
Destruction or damage to all or part of property
—
Disposition.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
If, within ninety days of the date of damage or destruction to all or part of the property it is not determined by the apartment owners to repair, reconstruct, or rebuild in accordance with the original plan, or by a unanimous vote of all apartment owners to do otherwise, then and in that event:
(1) The property shall be owned in common by the apartment owners;
(2) The undivided interest in the property owned in common which appertains to each apartment owner shall be the percentage of undivided interest previously owned by such owner in the common areas and facilities;
(3) Any mortgages or liens affecting any of the apartments shall be deemed transferred in accordance with the existing priorities to the percentage of the undivided interest of the apartment owner in the property as provided herein; and
(4) The property shall be subject to an action for partition at the suit of any apartment owner, in which event the net proceeds of sale, together with the net proceeds of the insurance of the property, if any, shall be considered as one fund; such fund shall be divided into separate shares one for each apartment owner in a percentage equal to the percentage of undivided interest owned by each such owner in the property; then, after first paying out of the respective share of each apartment owner, to the extent sufficient for the purpose, all mortgages and liens on the undivided interest in the property owned by such apartment owner, the balance remaining in each share shall then be distributed to each apartment owner respectively.
[
1965 ex.s. c 11 s 7
;
1963 c 156 s 23
.]
RCW 64.32.240
Actions.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
Without limiting the rights of any apartment owner, actions may be brought as provided by law and by the rules of court by the manager or board of directors, in either case in the discretion of the board of directors, on behalf of two or more of the apartment owners, as their respective interests may appear, with respect to any cause of action relating to the common areas and facilities or more than one apartment. Service of process on two or more apartment owners in any action relating to the common areas and facilities or more than one apartment may be made on the person designated in the declaration to receive service of process. Actions relating to the common areas and facilities for damages arising out of tortious conduct shall be maintained only against the association of apartment owners and any judgment lien or other charge resulting therefrom shall be deemed a common expense, which judgment lien or other charge shall be removed from any apartment and its percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities upon payment by the respective owner of his or her proportionate share thereof based on the percentage of undivided interest owned by such apartment owner.
[
2012 c 117 s 204
;
1963 c 156 s 24
.]
RCW 64.32.250
Application of chapter, declaration and bylaws
—
Conflict with other chapters.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) All apartment owners, tenants of such owners, employees of such owners and tenants, and any other person that may in any manner use the property or any part thereof submitted to the provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to this chapter and to the declaration and bylaws of the association of apartment owners adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(2) All agreements, decisions and determinations made by the association of apartment owners under the provisions of this chapter, the declaration, or the bylaws and in accordance with the voting percentages established in this chapter, the declaration, or the bylaws, shall be deemed to be binding on all apartment owners.
(3) In case of any conflict between Title
23B
RCW or chapter
23.86, 24.03A, 24.06, or
25.15
RCW and this chapter, this chapter controls.
[
2025 c 119 s 1
;
1963 c 156 s 25
.]
RCW 64.32.260
Applicability to common interest communities.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1) This chapter does not apply to common interest communities as defined in RCW 64.90.010
:
(a) Created on or after July 1, 2018; or
(b) That have amended their governing documents to provide that chapter
64.90
RCW will apply to the common interest community pursuant to RCW 64.90.370
.
(2) Pursuant to RCW 64.90.365, the following provisions of chapter
64.90
RCW apply, and any inconsistent provisions of this chapter do not apply, to a common interest community created before July 1, 2018:
(a) RCW 64.90.370
;
(b) RCW 64.90.405
(1) (b) and (c);
(c) RCW 64.90.525
; and
(d) RCW 64.90.545
.
[
2024 c 321 s 433
;
2019 c 238 s 217
;
2018 c 277 s 503
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2018 c 277:
See RCW 64.90.910
.
PDF
RCW 64.32.260
Applicability to common interest communities.
(Effective January 1, 2026, until January 1, 2028.)
(1) This chapter does not apply to common interest communities as defined in RCW 64.90.010
:
(a) Created on or after July 1, 2018; or
(b) That have amended their governing documents to provide that chapter
64.90
RCW will apply to the common interest community pursuant to RCW 64.90.370
.
(2) Pursuant to RCW 64.90.365, the following provisions of chapter
64.90
RCW apply, and any inconsistent provisions of this chapter do not apply, to a common interest community created before July 1, 2018:
(a) RCW 64.90.370
;
(b) RCW 64.90.405
(1) (b) and (c);
(c) RCW 64.90.445
;
(d) RCW 64.90.480
(10);
(e) RCW 64.90.502
;
(f) RCW 64.90.513
;
(g) RCW 64.90.525
;
(h) RCW 64.90.545
; and
(i) RCW 64.90.580
.
[
2025 c 119 s 2
;
2024 c 321 s 433
;
2019 c 238 s 217
;
2018 c 277 s 503
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 119 ss 2-4, 11, 19, 21, 25, and 34:
"(1) Sections 2 through 4, 11, 19, 21, and 25 of this act take effect January 1, 2026.
(2) Section 34 of this act takes effect January 1, 2028." [
2025 c 119 s 35
.]
Effective date
—
2018 c 277:
See RCW 64.90.910
.
RCW 64.32.270
Notice.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision in the governing documents, notice to the association of apartment owners, board of directors, or any apartment owner or occupant of an apartment under this chapter shall be in writing and shall be provided to the recipient by personal delivery, public or private mail or delivery service, or by electronic transmission as provided in this section: PROVIDED, That if this chapter requires different or additional notice requirements for particular circumstances, those requirements shall apply.
(2) Notice in a tangible medium shall be provided as follows:
(a) Notice to the association of apartment owners or board of directors shall be addressed to the association's registered agent at its registered office, to the association at its principal office shown in its most recent annual report, or to an address provided by the association to the apartment owners.
(b) Notice to an apartment owner or occupant shall be addressed to the apartment address unless the apartment owner has requested, in a writing delivered to the association, that notices be sent to an alternate address.
(3) Notice in an electronic transmission shall be provided as follows:
(a) Notice to the association of apartment owners, the board of directors, or apartment owners by electronic transmission is effective only upon those who have consented, in writing, to receive electronically transmitted notices under this chapter and have designated the address, location, or system to which such notices may be electronically transmitted, provided that such notice otherwise complies with any other requirements of this chapter and applicable law.
(b) Notice under this subsection includes any materials that accompany the notice.
(c) Owners who have consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may revoke this consent by delivering a revocation to the association of apartment owners in writing.
(d) The consent of any apartment owner is revoked if the association is unable to electronically transmit two consecutive notices and this inability becomes known to the secretary of the association of apartment owners or any other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure by the association of apartment owners to treat this inability as a revocation does not invalidate any meeting or other action.
(e) Notice to apartment owners who have consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may be provided by posting the notice on an electronic network and delivering to the apartment owner separate notice of the posting, together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.
(4) Notice is effective as follows:
(a) Notice provided in a tangible medium is effective as of the date of hand delivery, deposit with the carrier, or when sent by fax.
(b) Notice provided in an electronic transmission is effective as of the date it:
(i) Is electronically transmitted to an address, location, or system designated by the recipient for that purpose; or
(ii) Has been posted on an electronic network and separate notice of the posting has been sent to the recipient containing instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.
(5) The ineffectiveness of a good faith effort to deliver notice by an authorized means does not invalidate action taken at or without a meeting.
(6) This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal electronic signatures in global and national commerce act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c) or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7003(b).
[
2021 c 227 s 2
.]
RCW 64.32.280
Voting
—
In person, absentee ballots, proxies.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) Apartment owners may vote at a meeting in person, by absentee ballot pursuant to subsection (3)(d) of this section, or by a proxy pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.
(2) When a vote is conducted without a meeting, apartment owners may vote by ballot pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.
(3) At a meeting of apartment owners the following requirements apply:
(a) Apartment owners or their proxies who are present in person may vote by voice vote, show of hands, standing, written ballot, or any other method for determining the votes of apartment owners, as designated by the person presiding at the meeting.
(b) If only one of several apartment owners of an apartment is present, that apartment owner is entitled to cast all the votes allocated to that apartment. If more than one of the apartment owners are present, the votes allocated to that apartment may be cast only in accordance with the agreement of a majority in interest of the apartment owners, unless the declaration expressly provides otherwise. There is a majority agreement if any one of the apartment owners casts the votes allocated to the apartment without protest being made promptly to the person presiding over the meeting by any of the other apartment owners of the apartment.
(c) Unless a greater number or fraction of the votes in the association is required under this chapter or the declaration or organizational documents, a majority of the votes cast determines the outcome of any action of the association.
(d) Whenever proposals or board members are to be voted upon at a meeting, an apartment owner may vote by duly executed absentee ballot if:
(i) The name of each candidate and the text of each proposal to be voted upon are set forth in a writing accompanying or contained in the notice of meeting; and
(ii) A ballot is provided by the association for such purpose.
(4) When an apartment owner votes by absentee ballot, the association must be able to verify that the ballot is cast by the apartment owner having the right to do so.
(5) Except as provided otherwise in the declaration or organizational documents, the following requirements apply with respect to proxy voting:
(a) Votes allocated to an apartment may be cast pursuant to a directed or undirected proxy duly executed by an apartment owner in the same manner as provided in RCW 24.06.110
.
(b) If an apartment is owned by more than one person, each apartment owner of the apartment may vote or register protest to the casting of votes by the other apartment owners of the apartment through a duly executed proxy.
(c) An apartment owner may revoke a proxy given pursuant to this section only by actual notice of revocation to the secretary or the person presiding over a meeting of the association or by delivery of a subsequent proxy. The death or disability of an apartment owner does not revoke a proxy given by the apartment owner unless the person presiding over the meeting has actual notice of the death or disability.
(d) A proxy is void if it is not dated or purports to be revocable without notice.
(e) Unless stated otherwise in the proxy, a proxy terminates eleven months after its date of issuance.
(6) Unless prohibited or limited by the declaration or organizational documents, an association may conduct a vote without a meeting. In that event, the following requirements apply:
(a) The association must notify the apartment owners that the vote will be taken by ballot.
(b) The notice must state:
(i) The time and date by which a ballot must be delivered to the association to be counted, which may not be fewer than fourteen days after the date of the notice, and which deadline may be extended in accordance with (g) of this subsection;
(ii) The percent of votes necessary to meet the quorum requirements;
(iii) The percent of votes necessary to approve each matter other than election of board members; and
(iv) The time, date, and manner by which apartment owners wishing to deliver information to all apartment owners regarding the subject of the vote may do so.
(c) The association must deliver a ballot to every apartment owner with the notice.
(d) The ballot must set forth each proposed action and provide an opportunity to vote for or against the action.
(e) A ballot cast pursuant to this section may be revoked only by actual notice to the association of revocation. The death or disability of an apartment owner does not revoke a ballot unless the association has actual notice of the death or disability prior to the date set forth in (b)(i) of this subsection.
(f) Approval by ballot pursuant to this subsection is valid only if the number of votes cast by ballot equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting authorizing the action.
(g) If the association does not receive a sufficient number of votes to constitute a quorum or to approve the proposal by the date and time established for return of ballots, the board of directors may extend the deadline for a reasonable period not to exceed eleven months upon further notice to all members in accordance with (b) of this subsection. In that event, all votes previously cast on the proposal must be counted unless subsequently revoked as provided in this section.
(h) A ballot or revocation is not effective until received by the association.
(i) The association must give notice to apartment owners of any action taken pursuant to this subsection within a reasonable time after the action is taken.
(j) When an action is taken pursuant to this subsection, a record of the action, including the ballots or a report of the persons appointed to tabulate such ballots, must be kept with the minutes of meetings of the association.
(7) If the governing documents require that votes on specified matters affecting the common interest community be cast by lessees rather than apartment owners of leased apartments:
(a) This section applies to lessees as if they were apartment owners;
(b) Apartment owners that have leased their apartments to other persons may not cast votes on those specified matters; and
(c) Lessees are entitled to notice of meetings, access to records, and other rights respecting those matters as if they were apartment owners.
(8) Apartment owners must also be given notice, in the manner provided in RCW 64.32.270, of all meetings at which lessees may be entitled to vote.
(9) In any vote of the apartment owners, votes allocated to an apartment owned by the association must be cast in the same proportion as the votes cast on the matter by apartment owners other than the association.
(10) Except as otherwise restricted by the declaration, bylaws, or articles of incorporation, meetings of apartment owners may be conducted by telephonic, video, or other conferencing process, if: (a) The meeting notice states the conferencing process to be used and provides information explaining how apartment owners may participate in the conference directly or by meeting at a central location or conference connection; and (b) the process provides all apartment owners the opportunity to hear or perceive the discussion and to comment.
[
2021 c 227 s 3
.]
RCW 64.32.290
Electric vehicle charging stations.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1)(a) An association of apartment owners may not adopt or enforce a restriction, covenant, condition, bylaw, rule, regulation, provision of a governing document, or master deed provision that:
(i) Effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station in compliance with the requirements of this section and for the personal noncommercial use of an apartment owner in a designated parking space; or
(ii) Is in conflict with the provisions of this section.
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits an association from imposing reasonable restrictions on electric vehicle charging stations. However, it is the policy of the state to promote, encourage, and remove obstacles to the use of electric vehicle charging stations.
(2) An association of apartment owners may require an apartment owner to submit an application for approval for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station before installing the charging station.
(3)(a) If approval is required for the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station, the application for approval must be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification.
(b) The approval or denial of an application must be in writing and must not be willfully avoided or delayed.
(c) If an application is not denied in writing within 60 days from the date of receipt of the application, the application is deemed approved, unless that delay is the result of a reasonable request for additional information.
(d) An association of apartment owners may not assess or charge an apartment owner a fee for the placement of an electric vehicle charging station. An association may charge a reasonable fee for processing the application to approve the installation of an electric vehicle charging station, but only if such a fee exists for all applications for approval of architectural modifications.
(4) If approval is required for the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station, an association of apartment owners must approve the installation in a designated parking space if the installation is reasonably possible and the apartment owner agrees in writing to:
(a) Comply with the association's reasonable architectural standards applicable to the installation of the electric vehicle charging station;
(b) Engage an electrical contractor familiar with the standards for the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure to assess the existing infrastructure necessary to support the proposed electric vehicle charging station, identify additional infrastructure needs, and install the electric vehicle charging station;
(c)(i) Provide, within the time specified in (c)(ii) of this subsection, a certificate of insurance naming the association as an additional insured on the apartment owner's insurance policy for any claim related to the installation, maintenance, or use of the electric vehicle charging station, or, reimbursement to the association for the actual cost of any increased insurance premium amount attributable to the charging station;
(ii) A certificate of insurance required under (c)(i) of this subsection must be provided within 14 days after the association approves the installation of the electric vehicle charging station. Reimbursement for an increased insurance premium amount under (c)(i) of this subsection must be provided within 14 days after the apartment owner receives the association's invoice for the amount attributable to the charging station;
(d) Register the electric vehicle charging station with the association within 30 days after installation;
(e) Pay for the electricity usage associated with the electric vehicle charging station and the required means to facilitate payment for the electricity; and
(f) Comply with the requirements of this section.
(5)(a) An apartment owner must obtain any permit or approval for an electric vehicle charging station as required by the local government in which the common interest community is located and comply with all relevant building codes and safety standards.
(b) An electric vehicle charging station must meet all applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by national, state, or local authorities, and all other applicable zoning, land use or other ordinances, building codes, or land use permits.
(6)(a) Unless otherwise agreed to by written contract with the association, an apartment owner is responsible for the costs of installing an electric vehicle charging station.
(b) Electric vehicle charging station equipment that is installed at the apartment owner's cost and is removable without damage to the property owned by others may be removed at the apartment owner's cost. Nothing in this subsection requires the association to purchase the electric vehicle charging station.
(7) An apartment owner must disclose to any prospective buyers of the unit:
(a) The existence of an electric vehicle charging station and the related responsibilities of the owner under this section; and
(b) Whether the electric vehicle charging station is removable and whether the owner intends to remove the charging station.
(8) The owner and each successive owner of an electric vehicle charging station is responsible for:
(a) Costs for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the electric vehicle charging station up until the station is removed;
(b) Costs for damage to the electric vehicle charging station, any apartment, common area, or limited common area resulting from the installation, use, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the electric vehicle charging station;
(c) The cost of electricity associated with the electric vehicle charging station;
(d) Obtaining and maintaining an insurance policy that meets the requirements in subsection (4)(c) of this section;
(e) If the owner decides to remove the electric vehicle charging station, costs for the removal and the restoration of the common area or limited common area after the removal; and
(f) Removing the electric vehicle charging station if reasonably necessary for the repair, maintenance, or replacement of the common area or limited common area.
(9) An association of apartment owners may install an electric vehicle charging station in the common areas for the use of all apartment owners and, in that case, the association must develop appropriate terms of use for the charging station.
(10)(a) An association of apartment owners that willfully violates this section is liable to the apartment owner for actual damages, and shall pay a civil penalty to the apartment owner in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
(b) In any action by an apartment owner requesting to have an electric vehicle charging station installed and seeking to enforce compliance with this section, the court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to any prevailing apartment owner.
(11) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Designated parking space" means a parking space that is specifically designated for use by a particular apartment owner, including a garage, a deeded parking space, and a parking space in a limited common area that is restricted for use by one or more apartment owners.
(b) "Electric vehicle charging station" means a station that delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into one or more electric vehicles. An electric vehicle charging station may include several charge points simultaneously connecting several electric vehicles to the station and any related equipment needed to facilitate charging plug-in electric vehicles.
(c) "Reasonable restriction" means a restriction that does not significantly increase the cost of an electric vehicle charging station or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance.
[
2022 c 27 s 1
.]
RCW 64.32.300
Tenant screening.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) Except as otherwise prohibited by law, and subject to the limitations in subsection (2) of this section, an association of apartment owners may:
(a) Require any apartment owner intending to lease the owner's apartment to use a tenant screening service or obtain background information, including criminal history, on a prospective tenant, at the owner's sole cost and expense, prior to the owner entering into a lease agreement with a prospective tenant; and
(b) Require proof that the tenant screening requirement has been fulfilled or that the background information on a prospective tenant has been obtained by the owner intending to lease the owner's apartment.
(2) An association may not require that a copy of the tenant screening report or any background information pertaining to a tenant be furnished to the association.
[
2023 c 23 s 1
.]
RCW 64.32.310
Licensed family home child care or licensed child day care center
—
Regulations
—
Liability.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) An association of apartment owners may not adopt or enforce a restriction, covenant, condition, bylaw, rule, regulation, provision of a governing document, or master deed provision that effectively prohibits, unreasonably restricts, or limits, directly or indirectly, the use of an apartment as a licensed family home child care operated by a family day care provider or as a licensed child day care center, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2)(a) Nothing in this section prohibits an association of apartment owners from imposing reasonable regulations on a family home child care or a child day care center including, but not limited to, architectural standards, as long as those regulations are identical to those applied to all other apartments within the same association as the family home child care or the child day care center.
(b) An association may require that only an apartment with direct access may be used as a family home child care or child day care center. Direct access must be either from the outside of the building or through publicly accessible common areas and facilities.
(c) An association may adopt or enforce a restriction, covenant, condition, bylaw, rule, regulation, provision of a governing document, or master deed provision that requires a family home child care or a child day care center operating out of an apartment within the association to:
(i) Be licensed under chapter
43.216
RCW;
(ii) Indemnify and hold harmless the association against all claims, whether brought by judicial or administrative action, relating to the operation of the family home child care or the child day care center, excluding claims arising in common areas and facilities that the association is solely responsible for maintaining under the governing documents;
(iii) Obtain a signed waiver of liability releasing the association from legal claims directly related to the operation of the family home child care or the child day care center from the parent, guardian, or caretaker of each child being cared for by the family home child care or the child day care center. However, an association may not require that a waiver of liability under this subsection be notarized; and
(iv) Obtain day care insurance as defined in RCW 48.88.020
or provide self-insurance pursuant to chapter
48.90
RCW, consistent with the requirements in RCW 43.216.700
.
(3) An association of apartment owners that willfully violates this section is liable to the family day care provider or the child day care center for actual damages, and shall pay a civil penalty to the family day care provider or the child day care center in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the terms "family day care provider" and "child day care center" have the same meanings as in RCW 43.216.010
.
[
2023 c 203 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2023 c 203:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 1, 2023]." [
2023 c 203 s 5
.]
RCW 64.32.320
New declarations
—
Accessory dwelling units.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) Except a declaration created to protect public health and safety, and ground and surface waters from on-site wastewater, a declaration created after July 23, 2023, and applicable to a property located within an urban growth area may not impose any restriction or prohibition on the construction, development, or use on a lot of an accessory dwelling unit that the city or county in which the urban growth area is located would be prohibited from imposing under RCW 36.70A.681
.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "urban growth area" has the same meaning as in RCW 36.70A.030
.
(3) A city or county issuing a permit for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit may not be held civilly liable on the basis that the construction of the accessory dwelling unit would violate a restrictive covenant or deed restriction.
[
2023 c 334 s 10
.]
RCW 64.32.330
New declaration minimum density.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
A declaration created after July 23, 2023, and applicable to an association of apartment owners located within an area of a city subject to the middle housing requirements in RCW 36.70A.635
may not actively or effectively prohibit the construction, development, or use of additional housing units as required in RCW 36.70A.635
.
[
2023 c 332 s 11
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2023 c 332:
See note following RCW 36.70A.635
.
RCW 64.32.340
Occupancy limits.
(Expires January 1, 2028.)
Except for occupancy limits on short-term rentals as defined in RCW 64.37.010
and any lawful limits on occupant load per square foot or generally applicable health and safety provisions as established by applicable building code, city ordinance, or county ordinance, an association of apartment owners may not adopt or enforce a restriction, covenant, condition, bylaw, rule, regulation, provision of a governing document, or master deed provision that regulates or limits the number of unrelated persons that may occupy an apartment.
[
2024 c 139 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Contingent expiration date
—
2024 c 139 ss 1-3:
"If chapter 321, Laws of 2024 is enacted by June 30, 2024, sections 1 through 3 of this act expire January 1, 2028." [
2024 c 139 s 5
.]
RCW 64.32.350
Heat pumps.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1)(a) An association of apartment owners may not adopt or enforce a restriction, covenant, condition, bylaw, rule, regulation, provision of a governing document, or master deed provision that:
(i) Effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the installation or use of a heat pump in compliance with the requirements of this section and for the personal use of an apartment owner within the boundaries of an apartment; or
(ii) Is in conflict with the provisions of this section.
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits an association from imposing reasonable restrictions on heat pumps.
(c) This section must not be construed to permit installation by an apartment owner of heat pump equipment on or in common areas without approval of the association, or the manager or board of directors acting on the association's behalf.
(2) An association of apartment owners may require an apartment owner to submit an application for approval for the installation of a heat pump before installing the heat pump.
(3)(a) If approval is required for the installation of a heat pump, the application for approval must be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification.
(b) The approval or denial of an application must be in writing and must not be willfully avoided or delayed.
(c) If an application is not denied in writing within 60 days from the date of receipt of the application, the application is deemed approved, unless that delay is the result of a reasonable request for additional information.
(d) An association of apartment owners may not assess or charge an apartment owner a fee for the installation of a heat pump. An association may charge a reasonable fee for processing the application to approve the installation of a heat pump, but only if such a fee exists for all applications for approval of architectural modifications.
(4) If approval is required for the installation of a heat pump, an association of apartment owners must approve the installation if the installation is reasonably possible and the apartment owner agrees in writing to:
(a) Comply with the association's reasonable architectural standards applicable to the installation of the heat pump;
(b) Engage a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor familiar with the standards for the installation of heat pumps to assess the existing infrastructure necessary to support the proposed heat pump, identify additional infrastructure needs, and install the heat pump; and
(c) Comply with the requirements of this section.
(5)(a) An apartment owner must obtain any permit or approval for a heat pump as required by the local government in which the common interest community is located and comply with all relevant building codes and safety standards.
(b) A heat pump must meet all applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by national, state, or local authorities, and all other applicable zoning, land use or other ordinances, building codes, or land use permits.
(6)(a) Unless otherwise agreed to by written contract with the association, an apartment owner is responsible for the costs of installing a heat pump.
(b) Heat pump equipment that is installed at the apartment owner's cost and is removable without damage to the property owned by others may be removed at the apartment owner's cost.
(7) The apartment owner and each successive owner of the heat pump is responsible for:
(a) Costs for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the heat pump up until the heat pump is removed;
(b) Costs for damage to the heat pump, any apartment, common area, or limited common area resulting from the installation, use, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the heat pump;
(c) If the owner decides to remove the heat pump, costs for the removal and the restoration of the common area or limited common area after the removal; and
(d) Removing heat pump equipment if reasonably necessary for the repair, maintenance, or replacement of the common area or limited common area.
(8)(a) An association of apartment owners that willfully violates this section is liable to the apartment owner for actual damages, and shall pay a civil penalty to the apartment owner in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
(b) In any action by an apartment owner requesting to have a heat pump installed and seeking to enforce compliance with this section, the court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to any prevailing apartment owner.
(9) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Heat pump" means a heating or refrigerating system used to transfer heat. The heat pump condenser and evaporator may change roles to transfer heat in either direction. By receiving the flow of air or other fluid, a heat pump is used to cool or heat.
(b) "Reasonable restriction" means a restriction that does not significantly increase the cost of a heat pump or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance.
[
2024 c 128 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Contingent expiration date
—
2024 c 128 ss 1-3:
"If chapter 321, Laws of 2024 is enacted by June 30, 2024, sections 1 through 3 of this act expire January 1, 2028." [
2024 c 128 s 5
.]
RCW 64.32.355
Transit-oriented development restrictions.
(Expires January 1, 2028.)
(1) A declaration created after July 27, 2025, and applicable to an association of apartment owners located fully or partially within a station area as defined in RCW 36.70A.030
may not prohibit the construction or development of multifamily housing or transit-oriented development density that must be permitted by cities under RCW 36.70A.840
or require off-street parking inconsistent or in conflict with RCW 36.70A.842
.
(2) This section expires January 1, 2028.
[
2025 c 267 s 11
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
2025 c 267:
See note following RCW 36.70A.840
.
RCW 64.32.900
Short title.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
This chapter shall be known as the horizontal property regimes act.
[
1963 c 156 s 26
.]
RCW 64.32.910
Construction of term "this chapter."
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
The term "this chapter" means RCW 64.32.010
through
64.32.250
and
64.32.900
through
64.32.920, and as they may hereafter be amended or supplemented by subsequent legislation.
[
1963 c 156 s 27
.]
RCW 64.32.920
Severability
—
1963 c 156.
(Effective until January 1, 2028.)
If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter, or the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
[
1963 c 156 s 28
.]