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WUCIOA for All: Board Meetings Under the New Law

Washington’s community associations are preparing for a major shift in governance practices. Beginning January 1, 2026, all common interest communities, regardless of when they were established, must comply with new meeting requirements under the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA). These changes are designed to increase transparency, improve Homeowner engagement, and formalize decision-making processes.

For Boards and community managers, adapting to these requirements is essential. For Homeowners, it means greater access to meetings and a stronger voice in community affairs. Trestle is committed to helping our Clients implement these changes with clarity, consistency, and confidence.

What’s Changing in 2026

Under RCW 64.90.445, WUCIOA introduces several new standards for Board and committee meetings:

  • Open Meetings: All meetings where decisions are made must be open to Homeowners, except for executive sessions. This applies to both Board and committee meetings,
  • Notice Requirements: Associations must provide at least 14 days’ notice to all Homeowners before holding a meeting, unless the meeting is part of a pre-published annual schedule. Emergency meetings require a minimum of 7 days’ notice,
  • Homeowner Participation: Boards must allow Homeowners to comment on agenda items at the beginning of each meeting. A minimum of 15 minutes must be allocated, with reasonable time limits per speaker,
  • Virtual Meetings: Meetings may be held via real-time communication platforms such as video or phone conferencing. Physical attendance is no longer required,
  • Agenda Disclosure: Meeting notices must include the time, date, location (or virtual link), and a detailed agenda. Boards must adhere to the published agenda during the meeting, and
  • Legal Challenge Limitations: Any legal challenge to a Board action must be filed within 90 days of the meeting minutes being finalized or distributed.

Why This Matters

These changes represent a significant departure from past practices, especially for communities governed by legacy statutes. Many Boards have historically held informal or closed meetings, provided minimal notice, or operated without standardized agendas. Under WUCIOA, these practices must be revised to ensure compliance.

Failure to meet these requirements could result in legal challenges, Homeowner dissatisfaction, and reputational risk. Boards must take proactive steps to formalize their meeting procedures and ensure consistent communication with Homeowners.

What Boards Should Do Now

To prepare for the January 2026 deadline, Boards are encouraged to:

  • Establish an Annual Meeting Schedule: Publishing a full year of Board and committee meetings helps meet notice requirements and improves Homeowner engagement,
  • Adopt Standardized Templates: Use templated notices and agendas that include all required information and follow a consistent format,
  • Enable Virtual Participation: Ensure your community has access to reliable video or phone conferencing tools that support real-time communication,
  • Train Board Members: Educate Board members on the new requirements and best practices for conducting open, organized, and inclusive meetings, and
  • Review Governing Documents: Amend any provisions that conflict with WUCIOA’s meeting standards. Legal counsel may be necessary to ensure full compliance.

How Trestle Community Management Supports You

Trestle provides comprehensive support to help communities meet WUCIOA’s meeting requirements. Our services include:

  • Meeting Templates and Scheduling Tools: We offer templated notices and agendas that meet all legal standards, along with tools to help Boards publish and manage annual meeting schedules,
  • Virtual Meeting Solutions: Our electronic meeting software supports real-time participation and complies with WUCIOA’s remote meeting provisions,
  • Board Training and Advisory Services: We educate Boards on the new requirements and provide guidance on implementing best practices, and
  • Document Review and Amendment Support: We help Boards identify and update governing documents that conflict with WUCIOA.

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, and
  • 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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