Skip to content

North Carolina State Laws

  • 4 min read

North Carolina Community Association Laws

Planned Communities (Ch. 47F), Condominiums (Ch. 47C), legacy condos (Unit Ownership Act, Ch. 47A), corporate acts (Ch. 55A/55), broker trust-account rules (21 NCAC 58A .0118). Reference hub

North Carolina runs a lean, statute-driven system for community associations. There’s no statewide HOA/condo regulator or ombudsman; compliance is enforced mainly through the Planned Community Act (47F) and Condominium Act (47C) and, when needed, the courts. The statutes spell out meeting notice, records access, amendment thresholds, and lien/foreclosure mechanics (including power-of-sale). Where a licensed real estate broker manages association funds, strict trust-account rules apply under the Real Estate Commission. Net effect: fewer agencies, more procedure—boards get latitude, and owners rely on the statutes, ballots, records, and due process to be heard.

At a glance

  • HOAs (Planned Communities): Ch. 47F governs powers, budgets/reserves, meetings & voting, records, fines, liens/foreclosures.
  • Condos: Ch. 47C (post-1986); older condos may be under the Unit Ownership Act (47A) for legacy provisions.
  • Corporate form: Most associations are nonprofit (Ch. 55A); some may be under Ch. 55.
  • Management: No separate “CAM” license; NCREC trust-account rules apply when a licensed broker handles association funds.

Primary Statutes

Planned Communities (HOAs) — Chapter 47F

Association powers, boards, meetings & voting, records, fines (hearing required), assessment liens & power-of-sale foreclosure.

NCGA — Chapter page ·
Full chapter PDF

Legacy Condominiums — Chapter 47A (Unit Ownership Act)

Applies to certain older condominiums; check declaration date to determine which act applies.

NCGA — Chapter page

Popular Sections (direct NCGA PDF links)

HOA (Ch. 47F)

Condominium (Ch. 47C)

Administrative Rules (North Carolina)

NC has no centralized HOA/condo regulator. Operations are governed by 47F/47C and corporate law. If a licensed real estate broker manages association funds, Real Estate Commission rules apply.

NC Real Estate Commission — Trust Accounts

Applies when a licensed broker holds association funds. Non-broker self-managed boards are not subject to NCREC rules.

No HOA/Condo “agency rules”

There is no DBPR/Ombudsman equivalent in NC. Disputes typically proceed through association processes and the courts; Fair Housing issues go to Legal Aid/HUD or the NC OAH process.

Manager / Broker Rules

Is a “CAM” license required?

  • NC does not have a separate community association manager license.
  • If a licensed real estate broker manages association funds, they must follow NCREC trust-accounting rules (see 21 NCAC 58A .0118).

NCREC — Home
Verify a Broker/Firm

Helpful broker resources

Governing Documents & Overlays

  • Governing documents: Articles, recorded plats, Declaration/CC&Rs, Bylaws, Board Rules/Resolutions.
  • Federal overlays: Fair Housing Act, ADA (where applicable), FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD (antennas), etc.
  • State/local overlays: Building codes, stormwater, pool operations, local ordinances.
  • Conflicts: Statutes can supersede conflicting docs; consult counsel for interpretation.

Contacts

NC Department of Justice — Consumer Protection

NC DOJ does not represent individuals in private HOA disputes; it provides consumer guidance and may take action in broader consumer matters.

NC Secretary of State — HOA FAQ

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

Tags: