There is no single “HOA law.” A homeowners association in Arizona is governed by several bodies of law at the same time — state statutes written specifically for HOAs, the corporate law that most HOAs are organized under, and a set of federal protections that override the association’s own documents. This page maps all of it, with a link to each layer.
1. State law: the two Title 33 chapters
The statutes written specifically for Arizona HOAs live in Title 33 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, split into two chapters depending on the type of community:
The Planned Communities Act (Title 33, Chapter 16). Governs most HOAs — single-family and townhome communities run by an association. Covers assessments and fines, open meetings, records, liens and foreclosure, signs and flags, solar, elections, and more (§§ 33-1801–1820).
The Condominium Act (Title 33, Chapter 9). Governs condominiums, with parallel provisions to the Planned Communities Act. Browse it in the condominium statutes.
Not sure which applies to you? See which Arizona law governs your HOA.
2. Corporate law: Title 10 (nonprofit corporations)
Most Arizona HOAs are organized as nonprofit corporations, which means they also answer to Arizona’s Nonprofit Corporation Act in Title 10. That law governs the board’s duties, director elections and terms, corporate records and member financial statements, and the annual report an association must file with the Arizona Corporation Commission to stay in good standing. Our governance self-audit shows how to check a board against these rules.
3. Federal law: the protections your CC&Rs can’t touch
Several federal laws sit above your association’s documents and can’t be overridden by them:
Fair Housing Act. Bars housing discrimination — including on the basis of disability and familial status — and requires reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Limits how a debt collector — sometimes including a management company — can pursue unpaid assessments.
OTARD antenna rule. Protects your right to install satellite dishes and certain antennas despite HOA restrictions.
Freedom to Display the American Flag Act. Federal protection for displaying the U.S. flag.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the ADA add further protections for servicemembers and for accessibility in some common-area settings.
See the full federal law and disability & accessibility sections for the details.
4. Your governing documents — the contract layer
Below all of the above sit your community’s own governing documents: the recorded declaration (CC&Rs), the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, and the board’s rules. These are a contract that binds every owner — but they are subordinate to the statutes and federal laws above. A CC&R or rule that conflicts with a statute is unenforceable to that extent. For where an HOA’s authority comes from and how the layers rank, see are HOAs legal?
Enforcing your rights
- HOA-statute and governing-document violations → the ADRE HOA Dispute Process.
- Fair-housing / disability discrimination → HUD or the Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division.
- Corporate-status problems → the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Browse everything in one place in the Arizona HOA Laws library.