Community Association Resource

Community associations are an "umbrella" term that includes planned communities (HOAs), condominiums and townhomes. Community associations may be governed by different laws depending on whether the community is a planned community (HOA) or a condominium association.

• Homeowners Association or Planned Community - The person who owns the house in a planned community or homeowner’s association also owns the land the home sits on. They are governed by the Arizona Planned Communities Act 33-1801
• Condominium Community – The person who owns the unit only owns the unit, not the land it sits on. The exterior and land are co-owned by all residents. They are governed by ARS 33-1202 and 33-1243.
• Townhomes – Usually are multi-story living communities with no neighbors above or below. They own the land beneath the residence.
• Co-Op – The person owns a share of the co-op, and doesn’t receive the title or deed to the property. Laws that apply to Co-Ops are different and can be found in ARS Title 10, Chapter 24 (Nonprofit Corporations).

Community Associations, unlike neighborhood associations, are formal legal entities created to maintain common areas and enforce private deed restrictions, frequently called Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs). Most condominium and townhome developments and some newer single-family subdivisions have homeowners' associations, which are usually created when the development is built.

• Membership is mandatory for all property owners within the boundaries of the development.
• Members are usually charged mandatory fees.
• Homeowners' associations have the legal authority to enact and enforce maintenance and design standards in addition to those established by City ordinances.
• Homeowners' associations are corporations with formal bylaws - there is usually a governing board that hires a community management company to handle maintenance and enforcement issues.
• Many homeowners' associations publish a newsletter, which is sent to members at the association's expense.

Scottsdale Neighborhood College presents free classes taught by community association attorneys and community managers to help boards of directors comply with the law and improve their communities.

Explore past classes

This free newsletter is sent out once a month with news and information specifically for community associations. This information can be forwarded to your community members or used in your community newsletters if you don’t edit the information.

Sign up for the Scottsdale CAN!

Whether you are a long-term contact or new to a neighborhood role, Scottsdale is here for you! Scottsdale Community Involvement Office offers resources and support (PDF) for neighborhood and homeowner associations.

Speaker Requests for Community Associations