According to Chapter 720 of the Florida Statutes, the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act, the “governing documents” of the community include the declaration of covenants, the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, and the rules and regulations. State Law requires that the HOA disclose documents governing the use and occupancy of the property. For reference, here is what you will find in each of these documents:
- The declaration sets forth the basic covenants and restrictions for the community. For example, covenants include the obligations to pay assessments or require that your lot can only be used as a single-family home.
- The articles of incorporation (“corporate charter”) establishes the association’s existence and basic structure and governance.
- The bylaws govern the operation and administration of the association. Bylaws will typically address the composition of the board, how meetings are called, and other procedures.
- The rules and regulations usually supplement the restrictions in the declaration, and typically address matters of everyday policy, such as parking or use of the community’s recreational facilities.
All required documents are provided below.
