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Washington Condo & HOA News Archive

/ Owner - July 3, 2012
  • Washington state condo tower makes ready to install 312 EV charging stations January 27, 2025
    Bellevue Towers, a residential condominium community in Bellevue, Washington, has completed the infrastructure to enable the installation of 312 additional EV chargers, addressing a significant demand from its residents.  The property has a significant waitlist of residents who wish to install individual chargers.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Fate of ‘Big Red’, the Boardwalk Condos redwood, uncertain after city issues permit for removal (WA) January 27, 2025
    A controversy is brewing over the fate of a 100-year-old, 80-plus-foot-tall California coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) growing in the parking lot of the Boardwalk Condominiums at 1024 5th Ave S. in downtown Edmonds.  The Boardwalk Homeowners Association contends that the tree’s root system is undermining and compromising its parking area and has applied for a permit from the City of Edmonds to have the tree removed. The permit was approved on Dec. 9. Others allege that the parking area damage ...
  • Empty, weedy Homestead golf course in Lynden is striking reminder of 5-year legal fight (WA) January 19, 2025
    The sand traps at the Homestead Farms Golf Course are barely recognizable as such — visible from the patios of many residents in the adjacent Lynden subdivision, the bunkers are rocky and filled in with weeds, untouched by golfers and grazed over by a large flock of migratory wigeons. On the course, which has been closed since August 2023, the greens are fuzzy with grass growth and dotted with thistles, and the ponds are succumbing to cattails.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Important Update on Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Injunction and Compliance Guidance December 5, 2024
    As you may be aware, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas recently issued a preliminary injunction in the case of Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al. This decision temporarily blocks the enforcement of the CTA’s beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The court found that the CTA’s reporting requirements likely exceeded Congress’s authority, improperly compelled speech, and violated the right of anonymous association guaranteed by ...
  • ‘Time to get out’: Pierce County HOA proposing more than $8K fee for residents, forcing some to move (WA) November 28, 2024
    A Pierce County homeowners’ association proposed a one-time fee of more than $8,000 for its residents in addition to dues that could force some to move out if approved.  Members of the Tapps Island Association in Lake Tapps can vote to approve the proposal; however, in an ordinance with state law and HOA guidelines, the measure will be automatically passed unless a majority of members reject it. The fee was proposed at a Tapps Island Board meeting this fall.    Read ...
  • Lay of the Land: Has Washington State Resolved the Condo Liability Problem? October 9, 2024
    Major residential condominium construction has seen a decade-plus lull, due in part to an onerous warranty statute applicable only to condos. The Washington State Legislature significantly changed that statute in 2019, and the statute of limitations has now expired on the first condos subject to the new changes.    Listen to the podcast…………………………..
  • City of Washougal Launches HOA and Neighborhood Registry (WA) October 4, 2024
    The City of Washougal is excited to announce the launch of its Homeowners Association (HOA) and Neighborhood Registry, aimed at fostering stronger community connections and enhancing local communication. Washougal is comprised of roughly 200 neighborhoods with their own unique character and appeal.    Read the article…………………………….
  • Clallam County to take lead (for HOA) in applying for septic replacement grants September 21, 2024
    Clallam County is partnering with the Flaura’s Acres homeowners’ association to apply for grants to replace the community’s failing septic system.  Flaura’s Acres is a patch of unincorporated Clallam County surrounded by Sequim that has 54 single-family residences, according to its homeowners association website (HOA).   Read the article…………………………….
  • Suspected arson at condo complex displaces Seattle families (WA) September 10, 2024
    An investigation is underway after suspected arson early Monday morning in Seattle’s Licton Springs neighborhood.  The fire, which spread from one apartment building to another on the 8800 block of Nesbit Avenue North — about a block east of Aurora Avenue North — prompted the Seattle Fire Department to upgrade its response to two alarms due to the dangerous conditions, the SFD said.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Spokane firefighters contain brush fires near condos; investigation underway for suspicious activity (WA) August 20, 2024
    Spokane firefighters responded to multiple brush fires in the west Spokane area today and are investigating the cause of the fires.  On Sunday, the Spokane Fire Department responded to multiple reports of a brush fire spreading into trees in the 2900 block of West Riverside Avenue. Engine 4 arrived within four minutes to find a fire covering approximately 100 by 50 feet, involving grass and trees.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Leavenworth approves controversial ordinance permitting condominiums in residential zones (WA) August 19, 2024
    City Council approved an ordinance to allow condominiums in residential zoning, following a contentious discussion between the council and members of the community.  “If I wasn’t able to buy my house that I did six years ago, I would be looking at a condo. It brings up a lot of emotions,” said Council member Shane Thayer.  Ordinance No. 1695 would permit dwellings within residential zoning districts to convert to condominiums under a binding site plan process,    Read the article…………………………….
  • Puyallup condo fire displaces multiple families, cause under investigation (WA) August 18, 2024
    Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to a massive blaze at the Trio Condos in Puyallup on Friday night.  According to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, the blaze displaced several families but caused no reported injuries.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Federal Way HOA deploys license plate reading cameras to deter criminals (WA) August 3, 2024
    Cars that come and go from the Westridge Homeowners Association’s neighborhood in Federal Way will now be recorded by cameras that can use artificial intelligence to read license plates.  HOA president Thomas Orr said there was strong support from neighbors after several recent crimes, including a home invasion robbery.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Lawsuit claims HOA isn’t enforcing its rules (WA) August 3, 2024
    A Clinton resident is suing her neighborhood association for failing to enforce its own regulations against an untidy neighbor, according to court documents.  Ann Haelan is seeking damages for this purported inaction, as outlined in a lawsuit filed May 14 in Island County Superior Court. The documents state that a neighbor owns a property that is in a dilapidated state, with garbage and junk that has been there for over four years.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Condominium Association Sues Allstate Over $9.7M Repairs (WA) July 12, 2024
    A Washington condominium association is taking legal action against Allstate Insurance Co., alleging the insurer breached their coverage agreement by refusing to cover $9.7 million in repairs for “hidden damage” to the buildings’ exteriors.  In a complaint filed Tuesday, Sammamish Hills Owners Association claimed the hidden damage to the exterior weather-resistive barrier, sheathing, and framing occurred incrementally and progressively during each of its policies with Allstate. However, the insurer allegedly denied coverage.    Read the article…………………………….
  • Appellate judges mostly rule against Hayden Christmas display (WA) July 11, 2024
    For a former Hayden couple known for hosting massive holiday shows, a recent federal appeals ruling was anything but Christmas in July.  In a split decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has mostly ruled on the side of the West Hayden Estates homeowner’s association in its opposition to Jeremy and Kristy Morris’ extravagant holiday display in a dispute that’s lasted years and even was featured on Apple TV+ titled: ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Downtown Seattle Condo Unveils First Robot EV Charging System in the PNW (WA) July 9, 2024
    Spire, a $350 million, 41-story luxury condominium tower completed by Laconia Development, has launched the first robotic EV charging system in a condominium project in the United States.  Read the article…………………………….
  • Homestead judge nixes $93-a-month fee (WA) July 4, 2024
    The judge in the Lynden-centric Homestead case, at a Whatcom County Superior Court hearing on July 3, voiced the general shape of his decisions regarding the golf residential community that has been embroiled in a lawsuit for more than four years.  A two-week trial wrapped up in May.  In a key ruling, Judge David Freeman said he is invalidating the maintenance fee increase to $93 a month that MJ Management LLC put in place for 2020, triggering the legal action ...
  • Federal Judge Denies Quanex’s Bid to Dismiss Defective IGU Sealant Lawsuit (WA) July 2, 2024
    A Washington federal judge rebuffed Quanex’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it knowingly sold defective insulating glass unit (IGU) components to Viracon.  The Fifteen Twenty-One Avenue Condominium Association filed the suit in Washington Federal Court in late December 2023 against Viracon, a subsidiary of Apogee Enterprises Inc., Quanex and the Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC).    Read the article…………………………….
  • Condominium allowance to head to Leavenworth City Council (WA) June 9, 2024
    Following a varied public hearing, the Planning Commission moved to approve its proposed code amendments for condominium ownership within the Residential zoning districts during its June 7 meeting. The Planning Commission’s recommendations will ultimately go before City Council for deliberation and a vote.    Read the article…………………………….
  • Camas homeowners association rule dispute heads to Washington Supreme Court May 9, 2024
    A neighborly dispute is headed to the Washington Supreme Court after a state appellate court decided a homeowners association rule preventing a member’s trees from obstructing others’ views could stand.  The issue stems from two homeowners in Camas’ View Ridge Estates, which sits north of state Highway 14 overlooking the Columbia River and Mount Hood.  One couple, Ronald Haertl and Leslie Kolisch, claimed the other, Walter and Mariann Guetter, had trees blocking their view.    Read the article…………………………….
  • Just the judge: No jury in Homestead trial (WA) May 8, 2024
    It meant that, continuing Thursday and on into this week, contested issues regarding the north Lynden Homestead golf course and surrounding residential properties are being argued directly to Freeman for summary judgment. It is Freeman’s job to sort out what actions complied with applicable law and what did not.  At issue are the monthly maintenance fees paid by more than 600 homeowners in Homestead, what those fees should be used for, what is common open space in the development, whether ...
  • East Vancouver couple prevail over homeowners association on when political signs can go up before election (WA) April 27, 2024
    Homeowners associations can no longer dictate when residents put up political yard signs thanks to a Vancouver couple’s lawsuit.  Under Washington state law, homeowners associations cannot ban people from displaying political yard signs before an election. But the law doesn’t specify how long before.  That spurred an argument between Janet and Phil Landesberg and the Fairway Village Homeowners Association that made its way to the Washington Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of the couple April 9.   Read the ...
  • Homestead lawsuit goes to trial on April 30 (WA) April 25, 2024
    The plaintiffs’ side alone lists 66 witnesses and 101 exhibits in the multi-sided Homestead case scheduled to come to trial in Whatcom County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 30. Trial may last three weeks.  The four-year-old civil lawsuit concerns both the closed Homestead Farms Golf Club of north Lynden and some 600 surrounding properties of the residential golf development created between Benson and Bender roads in the 1990s.    Read the article…………………………….
  • Port of Bellingham hit with restraining order after developer Harcourt files countersuit (WA) April 11, 2024
    Harcourt Developments, the Ireland-based company constructing three multi-million dollar residential condo buildings along Bellingham’s waterfront, has filed a lawsuit against the Port of Bellingham, alleging Port officials have threatened to call police and request trespassing citations be issued if Harcourt did not remove its equipment from Port property.   Read the article…………………………….
  • HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets (WA) March 15, 2024
    The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement.  Many neighborhoods in Liberty Lake were built by Greenstone Corporation, which set up HOA’s for each neighborhood. Though the rules and services vary, generally the HOA collects assessments to take care of common areas and sets rules that can cover everything from ...
  • Marysville homeowners remain stuck behind washed out road as search for solution continues (WA) March 8, 2024
    Steve Hall, who heads up the homeowners’ association, met with us Monday. He said seven homes and nearly two dozen people are impacted. At that time, Hall said beaver dams burst and clogged the culvert, causing the road to crumble. He said a fix is complex due to layers of land ownership in the area. The road is private and owned by the residents.    Read the article…………………………….
  • Point Ruston’s legal battles grow as condo groups seek neutral party to govern site (WA) February 17, 2024
    Point Ruston’s lawsuits and financial woes now include legal action from condominium associations representing residents at the site.  On Jan. 25, five condominium associations representing building residents at Point Ruston filed a petition in Pierce County Superior Court against the Point Ruston Owners Association.   Read the article…………………………….
  • Kennewick adopts new speed hump rules. Half in this neighborhood had to be ripped out (WA) December 11, 2023
    The Canyon Lakes Property Owners Association went through what they thought was the correct process and were issued a one time permit because city staff didn’t realize there was guidance in the rarely used administrative code.  It cost about $75,000 out of the owner association’s own funds.   Read the article……………………………
  • Lacey residents ask city for help with HOA board, accusing it of being ‘out of control’ (WA) November 19, 2023
    Four residents came before Lacey City Council on Thursday, urging the city to help them with a homeowners’ association board that they accused of being “out of control,” “rogue,” and of “twisting and violating HOA rules to fit their agenda.”    Read the article…………………………..
  • Washington appellate court hears dispute over state yard sign law November 4, 2023
    Under Washington state law, a homeowner association can’t ban people from displaying political yard signs before an election.  But the law doesn’t specify if there’s a time limit on how long before.   Read the article………………………………
  • Lacamas Shores biofilter dispute divides neighbors in Camas (WA) October 3, 2023
    Earlier this month, a Clark County Superior Court judge ruled that a Camas homeowners’ association violated its covenants by failing to maintain a biofilter, which the complainant argues is polluting Lacamas Lake.   Read the article………………………………
  • Hardship assistance hard to come by for condo owner displaced by fire in Burien (WA) September 25, 2023
    A fire at a condominium complex in Burien is causing huge financial complications for the owner of one of the units, who has seen her housing costs more than double and still can’t move back into her badly damaged property.   Read the article………………………..
  • Can a Homeowner Association Prohibit Political Yard Signs? (WA) August 10, 2023
    Every election cycle, homeowners often wonder if it is constitutional for their homeowner association (HOA) to require the removal of a lawn sign supporting a political candidate, especially if they suspect it is due to personal bias from a board member. The answer lies in understanding the First Amendment and the nature of community associations.   Read the article………………………..
  • Homeowners face $32,000 lawsuit from Pierce County over homeless camps on their properties (WA) August 4, 2023
    Pierce County is suing Golden Oak homeowners for $32,000 as they struggle to clean up homeless encampments on the shaded parts of their property.   The group of trees that runs across the backyard of neighbors’ houses has recently become a sanctuary for the homeless who have set up plywood and tent structures in the small patch of forest. But Percy Williams who lives on the property says that he never know that the property was their responsibility in the first ...
  • Lacamas Shores biofilter dispute divides neighbors in Camas (WA) July 27, 2023
    Earlier this month, a Clark County Superior Court judge ruled that a Camas homeowners’ association violated its covenants by failing to maintain a biofilter, which the complainant argues is polluting Lacamas Lake.   Read the article………………………..
  • Lakewood residents on edge as 27 car prowls strike local condominiums in a single weekend (WA) July 26, 2023
    Lakewood residents are on high alert after 27 vehicles were broken into over the weekend.  The Lakewood Police Department (LPD) said they were investigating the string of car prowls that took place between July 21 and 22.   Read the article………………………..
  • Car sparks fire at Seascape Condominium garages (WA) July 6, 2023
    A charging car battery ignited a fire that spread to several garages in the Seascape Condominiums, at 1300 Peace Portal Drive, on June 30.  North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) chief Jason Van der Veen said a resident of the Seascape Condominiums was charging the car battery when smoke began pouring out of the garage and grew quickly to the two garages on either side.   Read the article………………………..
  • Three condo units across from Lake Ballinger heavily damaged by fire Monday night (WA) July 4, 2023
    (Update – 2 found dead) South County Fire crews responded to a fire at Lake Village Condos in Mountlake Terrace Monday night. The blaze heavily damaged three units of a two-story building in the 22700 block of Lakeview Drive, said South County fire spokesperson Shawneri Guzman. It wasn’t immediately known if anyone was inside the units, she said.   Read the article………………………..
  • ‘We are stunned’: Condominium drenched in poisonous fluid amid construction vehicle malfunction (WA) June 23, 2023
    A group of neighbors are in a messy situation, literally, after part of a construction vehicle malfunctioned Tuesday on a job site, shooting poisonous fluid into the air, sending it raining down across personal property.   Read the article………………………..
  • Two injured in Skyway condo building fire (WA) June 19, 2023
    A fire at a Skyway condominium complex injured two people and spread to nearby brush, according to the Renton Fire Department.   Read the article………………………..
  • Two-alarm fire at condo in Skyway injures two (WA) June 6, 2023
    A fire in Skyway at a condo injured two people Monday afternoon, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.  Read the article………………………..
  • Two Bills Sponsored by State Rep. Joel McEntire Signed Into Law by Gov. Inslee (WA) May 15, 2023
    House Bill 1043 will streamline rules and regulations in common interest communities. Depending on the type of community and the timeframe it was created, interest communities could be governed by any one of four statutes.  Read the article………………………..
  • Hannah Heights water system highly contaminated (WA) May 2, 2023
    Hannah Heights Well #2, which provides drinking water to 46 households in the Hannah Heights HOA, was found to have Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) at levels 164 times the State Action Level (SAL) threshold. These levels are the highest numbers found in Washington state, other than one private well.  Read the article………………………..
  • Remembering Shady Acres: the once ‘peaceful,’ affordable community to be covered by Kittitas County Event Center expansion (WA) April 13, 2023
    Shady Acres was a mobile home community of primarily immigrant families that held 34 homes, 24 owned and 10 rented, according to a census taken by the Shady Acres Homeowners Association (SAHA) in 2016, provided by former Shady Acres resident and daughter of Margarita, Guadalupe Huitron. 66 adults and 59 children resided there at the time of the acquisition, nearly an even split between minors and adults.   Read the article………………………..
  • Bill that would prevent HOA’s from banning child care passes state Senate (WA) April 7, 2023
    The Washington state Senate passed House Bill 1199 that would stop landlords and homeowner’s associations from placing restrictions on at-home childcare operations on April 6.   Read the article………………………..
  • Washington Senate backs reduction in building requirements for smaller condo projects in bid to lower costs February 16, 2023
    Condominiums with fewer than 12 units and fewer than three stories would be exempt from certain requirements prior to construction if a bipartisan bill passes in the state Legislature this session.   Read the article………………………..
  • ‘We’re sitting ducks’: Lake City residents fed up with condo building burglaries (WA) February 9, 2023
    Residents in a Lake City building said they are afraid to sleep in their homes at night because of burglars who continually break into their building.   Read the article………………………..
  • Bill aimed to prevent limitations on home daycares passes state House (WA) January 29, 2023
    The sponsor of HB-1199, Representative Tana Senn, said Washington is in a childcare crisis, with not enough options for families. That is why she was concerned when she spoke to around 90 daycare providers in the state who are either getting fined by their homeowners’ associations or are being threatened with eviction for running daycares in their homes.   Read the article………………………..
  • Lynnwood townhome fire kills one, displaces dozens (WA) December 25, 2022
    Today, crews from South County Fire, Everett Fire, Northshore and Shoreline responded to a late morning fatal townhome fire at 6707 196th St SW in Lynnwood that has left one person dead, two injured, and more than 20 residents displaced.  Read the article………………………..
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