Pennsylvania Community Association Laws
Planned Communities (UPCA, Subpart D), Condominiums (UCA, Subpart B), Cooperatives (URCA, Subpart C), Manufactured Home Communities (Act 261), corporate acts (Title 15). Reference hub
Pennsylvania runs on the Uniform Acts: most HOAs are “planned communities,” condos and co-ops have their own companion statutes, and disputes are largely court-driven rather than agency-policed. The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection can take certain owner complaints (meetings, quorums, proxies, records) while day-to-day governance flows through nonprofit corporate law. Assessment liens carry statutory muscle with limited priority rules, but there’s no state CAM license—real estate licensing only kicks in when managers perform brokerage-type tasks. Net: text-heavy, process-light—predictable if you know where to look.
At a glance
- Planned Communities (HOAs): Uniform Planned Community Act — Title 68, Subpart D.
- Condominiums: Uniform Condominium Act — Title 68, Subpart B.
- Cooperatives: Uniform Real Estate Cooperative Act — Title 68, Subpart C.
- Manufactured Home Communities: Manufactured Home Community Rights Act (unconsolidated Act 261 of 1976).
- Corporate form: Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law — Title 15.
- CAM licensing: No dedicated CAM license; PA real estate licensing applies only when performing brokerage activities.
Primary Statutes
Planned Communities (HOAs) — UPCA (Title 68, Subpart D)
Applies to most HOAs; powers/duties, meetings, voting, records, assessments/liens, disclosures.
Condominiums — UCA (Title 68, Subpart B)
Management, owner rights, meetings/voting, records; purchaser protections (resales).
Cooperatives — URCA (Title 68, Subpart C)
Creation & management of co-ops; assessments/liens; purchaser protections.
Manufactured Home Communities — Act 261 of 1976 (Unconsolidated)
Written leases, rules, fees, disclosure, evictions; applies when resident owns the home and rents a lot.
Corporate Acts — Title 15 (Nonprofit Corporation Law)
Formation/amendments, board authority, meetings, records; many associations are non-profits.
Popular Sections (direct links @ PA General Assembly)
Planned Communities (UPCA — Subpart D)
Condominiums (UCA — Subpart B)
Cooperatives (URCA — Subpart C)
Administrative Rules & Guidance
Pennsylvania has no DBPR-style condo/HOA regulator. Governance lives in the statutes; a few adjacent codes may apply.
Nonprofit filings
Real estate licensing
Manufactured homes
Consumer Protection & Agencies
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Bureau of Consumer Protection
- Scope: Can accept certain owner complaints re: meetings, quorums, voting/proxies, records (see “Complaint Path” above).
- Phone: 1-800-441-2555
- Email: consumers@attorneygeneral.gov
- File a complaint: Online portal · PA.gov consumer page
- About BCP: Program page
Licensing & Professional Guidance
- Real Estate Commission: Licensure guide
- Note on CAMs: No dedicated CAM license; HOA/condo management alone doesn’t require a broker/salesperson license (brokerage rules apply when doing leasing/listing).
Governing Documents & Overlays
- Governing documents: Declaration/CC&Rs (or equivalent), Articles, Bylaws, Board Rules/Resolutions.
- Federal overlays: Fair Housing Act, ADA (as applicable), FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD (antennas), etc.
- State/local overlays: Municipal codes (zoning, building), public safety, consumer laws.
- Conflicts: Statutes control over contrary documents; consult counsel for interpretation.
Disclaimer
This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws change; always verify the current text on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.
Last updated: September 8, 2025