On January 25, 2018, I blogged about an HOA in Auburn, California that passed a rule requiring all of its owners to leave their garage doors open during the day. The goal of the rule was to prevent owners from using their garages as living spaces. The patently overbroad rule—which, in effect, would render residents' possessions in their garages unsecured—subjected the association and board to local and national media scrutiny and criticism. read more

The HOA Act states that, unless otherwise provided in an association's governing documents, an association may adopt and amend rules and regulations. RCW 64.38.020(1). With such broad authority, how does a board know if a rule goes too far? Is there a rule of thumb? read more