December 5, 2025

An Overview of Recent WUCIOA Revisions and Expansion

Several sections of RCW 64.90 ("WUCIOA") will become applicable to all common interest communities in Washington state on January 1, 2026. The full list of WUCIOA sections that will apply to all such communities on that date is 370, 405(1)(b) and (c), 445, 480(10), 502, 513, 525, 545, 580, and 010 to the extent necessary to construe them. There have also been a number of other revisions and additions to other sections of WUCIOA this year. Cssociation boards should consider seeking legal advice regarding WUCIOA compliance in 2026 and beyond. The most important recent changes are:

1) Board meetings must begin with an owner comment period that is at least 15 minutes long. Owners may be limited to 90 seconds and further limited if more than 10 owners want to speak.

2) Meetings may be held via telephone, video, or electronic conference.

3) Meetings only require 7 days notice via electronic communication during emergencies.

4) Owners are entitled to review materials provided to Board members.

5) Meeting notice and recordkeeping requirements are further revised to promote transparency.

6) Decisions of committees to which the Board has delegated important authority must be approved by the Board as well.

7) Election ballots must include a space for write-in candidates.

8) Certain votes must be conducted via secret ballot, including elections, board member removals, and amendments. The results of those ballots must be recorded in the minutes. Persons may not access or count ballots in which they have an interest.

9) Associations must provide resale certificates in connection with sales of units.

10) Associations must offer a free assessment payment method.

11) Associations may not invest more than 50% of the reserve funds.

12) Associations must disclose more information about reserve studies, investments, and financial reports to owners.

13) Board approval may not be required for an owner to install an electric vehicle charging station unless it affects a common element or connects to shared electrical infrastructure.

14) Boards may not unreasonably withhold approval for installing heat pump systems in common areas.

15) Plat and miscellaneous communities containing 50 or fewer units with an annual average assessment of $1,000 or less are only subject to a few sections of WUCIOA.