Virginia Community Association Laws
POA Act (Ch. 18), Condominium Act (Ch. 19), Cooperative Act (Ch. 21), Resale Disclosure Act (Ch. 23.1), Manufactured Home Lot Rental (Ch. 13), Nonstock Corp. Act (Title 13.1), DPOR • CIC Board & Ombudsman. Reference hub
Virginia takes an oversight-forward but practical approach to common-interest communities. Associations must register annually with the state and follow open-records/open-meetings rules; management firms are licensed and supervised by the Common Interest Community Board; and resale disclosures are standardized statewide under the Resale Disclosure Act. The net effect is predictable procedure and consumer transparency without Florida-style arbitration—owners have a clear complaint channel via the CIC Ombudsman, and boards that “follow the playbook” generally stay out of trouble.
At a glance
- HOAs: Property Owners’ Association Act (Ch. 18) — records, meetings, rules, flags, enforcement.
- Condominiums: Condominium Act (Ch. 19) — unit owner rights, records, meetings, registration.
- Cooperatives: Real Estate Cooperative Act (Ch. 21).
- Resales: Resale Disclosure Act (Ch. 23.1) — one standardized resale certificate for HOAs/Condos/Co-ops.
- Manufactured homes: Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act (Ch. 13).
- Corporate form: Typically Nonstock Corporation Act (Title 13.1, Ch. 10).
Primary Statutes
Property Owners’ Association Act — Chapter 18
Operation of HOAs (records, meetings, rules, enforcement, resale cross-refs).
Virginia Condominium Act — Chapter 19
Unit owner rights, board powers, records & meetings, project registration.
Real Estate Cooperative Act — Chapter 21
Cooperative governance, consumer rights, board powers, disclosures.
Resale Disclosure Act — Chapter 23.1
Standardized resale certificate (content, delivery, updates, rescission window).
Virginia Law — Full chapter ·
§55.1-2309 Delivery ·
§55.1-2310 Form & contents
Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act — Chapter 13
Landlord-tenant framework for manufactured home lots.
Corporate Acts — Title 13.1, Chapter 10
Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act (formation, governance, records, directors’ duties).
Popular Sections (direct links @ Virginia Law)
HOA (POA Act, Ch. 18)
Condominium (Ch. 19)
Co-op (Ch. 21)
Administrative Rules (Virginia Administrative Code)
Promulgated by the Common Interest Community Board (DPOR).
CIC Manager Regulations
Association Registration
Ombudsman Regulations
Common Interest Community (CIC) — Manager Licensing
Who must be licensed?
- Firms providing common interest community management services must be licensed by the CIC Board.
- Certain principal/supervisory employees must hold Board certification; firms and certificants must meet education & conduct standards.
Read the CIC Manager Regulations
Verify a License (DPOR)
Apply / Renew (Online)
See 18VAC48-50 for qualifications, CE, and standards of practice.
Association registration (all CICs)
- Associations must file an annual report with the CIC Board (post-turnover) and keep registration info current.
Statutes: POA §55.1-1835 · Condo §55.1-1980 · Co-op §55.1-2182
Governing Documents & Overlays
- Governing documents: Articles, CC&Rs/Declaration, Bylaws, Plats, Board Rules/Resolutions.
- Federal overlays: Fair Housing Act, ADA (if applicable), FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD (antennas), etc.
- State overlays: DPOR/CIC registration & regulations; local ordinances & building codes.
- Conflicts: Statutes control over conflicting documents; consult counsel for interpretation.
DPOR — CIC Board & Ombudsman
Virginia DPOR (Agency)
Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
- License Lookup: Search licenses & discipline
- Online Services: Applications & renewals
- Phone (main): (804) 367-8500
Office of the CIC Ombudsman
- Role: Owner guidance, complaint process, notices of final adverse decisions.
- Page: CIC Ombudsman
- Phone: (804) 367-2941
Disclaimer
This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws and rules change; always verify the current text on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.
Last updated: September 9, 2025