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WUCIOA for All: What It Means for Your Community

Washington’s community associations are entering a new era of governance, transparency, and Homeowner rights. With the passage of Senate Bill 5796 in 2024, the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) will soon apply to all common interest communities across the state, regardless of when they were established. This marks a significant shift in how associations operate and interact with Homeowners.

For Boards and community managers, understanding these changes is essential. For Homeowners, it means greater access, clarity, and participation in the governance of their communities. Trestle is committed to guiding our Clients through this transition with clarity, confidence, and expert support.

What Is WUCIOA?

WUCIOA, codified as RCW 64.90, was originally enacted in 2018 to unify Washington’s fragmented laws governing condominiums and Homeowners’ associations. Prior to WUCIOA, communities were governed by one of three separate statutes depending on their creation date and structure:

  • RCW 64.32 – Horizontal Property Regimes Act (1963)
  • RCW 64.34 – Washington Condominium Act (1989)
  • RCW 64.38 – Homeowners’ Association Act (1995)

WUCIOA replaced these statutes for communities created on or after July 1, 2018. However, with the passage of SB 5796 and SB 5129 in 2025, WUCIOA’s core provisions will soon apply to all communities, regardless of their formation date.

Key Implementation Dates

The transition to WUCIOA is phased, giving communities time to prepare:

  • January 1, 2026: Core provisions of WUCIOA become applicable to all common interest communities. These include:
  • Open meeting requirements
  • Free assessment payment options
  • Rights related to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
  • Rights related to heat pump installations
  • January 1, 2028: WUCIOA becomes fully applicable. Legacy statutes are repealed, and all communities must operate under the unified framework of RCW 64.90.

Why This Matters

Many governing documents in pre-WUCIOA communities will conflict with the new legal framework. In cases of conflict, WUCIOA takes precedence unless the law explicitly states otherwise. This means that Boards must begin evaluating their governing documents and operational practices to ensure compliance.

Failure to prepare could result in confusion, legal challenges, and operational disruptions. Homeowners will have new rights and expectations, and Boards must be ready to meet them with transparency and consistency.

What Boards Should Do Now

Boards are strongly encouraged to take proactive steps to prepare for WUCIOA implementation:

  1. Review Governing Documents: Identify any provisions that conflict with WUCIOA and consider amendments. Legal counsel may be necessary to ensure compliance,
  2. Formalize Meeting Practices: WUCIOA requires open meetings, advance notice, and Homeowner participation. Boards should establish a consistent meeting schedule and adopt standardized communication practices,
  3. Educate Homeowners: Clear and consistent communication will be critical. Homeowners need to understand their new rights and how the association will support them,
  4. Update Architectural Guidelines: With new rules around EV charging stations and heat pumps, Boards must revise architectural standards to reflect WUCIOA’s requirements, and
  5. Consult Experts: Partnering with a knowledgeable community management firm can make the transition smoother and more effective.

How Trestle Community Management Supports You

Trestle specializes in helping communities navigate complex regulatory environments. Our consultative approach, specialized Practice Areas, and credentialed Team ensure that our Clients receive expert guidance tailored to their unique needs. We offer:

  • Document Review and Amendment Support: We help Boards identify conflicts with WUCIOA and assist with updates to governing documents,
  • Meeting Templates and Scheduling Tools: Our team provides templated notices and agendas that meet WUCIOA’s requirements, along with tools to help Boards publish annual meeting schedules,
  • Compliance Support for EV and Heat Pump Installations: We assist in updating architectural guidelines and processing Homeowner applications in accordance with the law,
  • Transparent Financial Management: Our systems already support free payment methods for assessments, ensuring compliance with RCW 64.90.480(10), and
  • Technology Solutions for Virtual Meetings: Trestle’s electronic meeting software meets WUCIOA’s standards for remote participation, making meetings more accessible and efficient.

Whether your community is a garden style or mid-rise condominium, a large-scale HOA, or an active-adult neighborhood, our services are designed to support your success under WUCIOA.

Download the Full Guide

To help Boards and Homeowners understand the upcoming changes, we have created a free downloadable resource, WUCIOA for All: A Guide for Pre-WUCIOA Communities.

This guide includes:

  • A summary of WUCIOA’s background and purpose
  • A detailed implementation timeline
  • Specific changes affecting meetings, assessments, EV charging, and heat pumps
  • Practical steps for Boards to prepare

Learn More

The transition to WUCIOA is an opportunity to modernize governance, improve transparency, and empower Homeowners. With the right support, your community can navigate these changes smoothly and confidently.

To learn more about how Trestle supports community associations, contact us at (425) 454-6404, visit www.trestlecm.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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