RCW ch. 64.34 — Revised Code of Washington Chapter 64.34 RCW — Condominium Act

RCW 64.34.005 Findings—Intent—2004 c 201. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) The legislature finds, declares, and determines that: (a) Washington's cities and counties under the growth management act are required to encourage urban growth in urban growth areas at densities that accommodate twenty-year growth projections; (b) The growth management act's planning goals include encouraging the availability of affordable housing for all residents of the state and promoting a variety of housing types; (c) Quality condominium construction needs to be encouraged to achieve growth management act mandated urban densities and to ensure that residents of the state, particularly in urban growth areas, have a broad range of ownership choices. (2) It is the intent of the legislature that limited changes be made to the condominium act to ensure that a broad range of affordable homeownership opportunities continue to be available to the residents of the state, and to assist cities' and counties' efforts to achieve the density mandates of the growth management act. [ 2004 c 201 s 1.] RCW 64.34.010 Applicability. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) This chapter applies to all condominiums created within this state after July 1, 1990. RCW 64.34.040 (separate titles and taxation), RCW 64.34.050 (applicability of local ordinances, regulations, and building codes), RCW 64.34.060 (condemnation), RCW 64.34.208 (construction and validity of declaration and bylaws), RCW 64.34.268 (1) through (7) and (10) (termination of condominium), RCW 64.34.212 (description of units), RCW 64.34.304(1) (a) through (f) and (k) through (t) (powers of unit owners' association), RCW 64.34.308(1) (board of directors and officers), RCW 64.34.340 (voting— RCW 64.34.020 Definitions. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) In the declaration and bylaws, unless specifically provided otherwise or the context requires otherwise, and in this chapter: (1) "Affiliate" means any person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the referenced person. A person "controls" another person if the person: (a) Is a general partner, officer, director, or employer of the referenced person; (b) directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more other persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, controls, holds with power to vote, or holds proxies representing, more than twenty percent of the voting interest in the referenced person; (c) controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the referenced person; or (d) has contributed more than twenty percent of the capital of the referenced person. A person "is controlled by" another person if the other person: (i) Is a general partner, officer, director, or employer of the person; (ii) directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more other persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, controls, holds with power to vote, or holds proxies representing, more than twenty percent of the voting interest in the person; (iii) controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the person; or (iv) has contributed more than twenty percent of the capital of the person. Control does not exist if the powers described in this subsection are held solely as security for an obligation and are not exercised. (2) "Allocated interests" means the undivided interest in the common elements, the common expense liability, and votes in the association allocated to each unit. (3) "Assessment" means all sums chargeable by the association against a unit including, without limitation: (a) Regular and special assessments for common expenses, charges, and fines imposed by the association; (b) interest and late charges on any delinquent account; and (c) costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the association in connection with the collection of a delinquent owner's account. (4) "Association" or "unit owners' association" means the unit owners' association organized under RCW 64.34.300. (5) "Baseline funding plan" means establishing a reserve funding goal of maintaining a reserve account balance above zero dollars throughout the thirty-year study period described under RCW 64.34.380. (6) "Board of directors" means the body, regardless of name, with primary authority to manage the affairs of the association. (7) "Common elements" means all portions of a condominium other than the units. (8) "Common expense liability" means the liability for common expenses allocated to each unit pursuant to RCW 64.34.224. (9) "Common expenses" means expenditures made by or financial liabilities of the association, together with any allocations to reserves. (10) "Condominium" means real property, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions. Real property is not a condominium unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the unit owners, and unless a declaration and a survey map and plans have been recorded pursuant to this chapter. (11) "Contribution rate" means, in a reserve study as described in RCW 64.34.380, the amount contributed to the reserve account so that the association will have cash reserves to pay major maintenance, repair, or replacement costs without the need of a special assessment. (12) "Conversion condominium" means a condominium (a) that at any time before creation of the condominium was lawfully occupied wholly or partially by a tenant or subtenant for residential purposes pursuant to a rental agreement, oral or written, express or implied, for which the tenant or subtenant had not received the notice described in (b) of this subsection; or (b) that, at any time within twelve months before the conveyance of, or acceptance of an agreement to convey, any unit therein other than to a declarant or any affiliate of a declarant, was lawfully occupied wholly or partially by a residential tenant of a declarant or an affiliate of a declarant and such tenant was not notified in writing, prior to lawfully occupying a unit or executing a rental agreement, whichever event first occurs, that the unit was part of a condominium and subject to sale. "Conversion condominium" shall not include a condominium in which, before July 1, 1990, any unit therein had been conveyed or been made subject to an agreement to convey to any transferee other than a declarant or an affiliate of a declarant. (13) "Conveyance" means any transfer of the ownership of a unit, including a transfer by deed or by real estate contract and, with respect to a unit in a leasehold condominium, a transfer by lease or assignment thereof, but shall not include a transfer solely for security. (14) "Dealer" means a person who, together with such person's affiliates, owns or has a right to acquire either six or more units in a condominium or fifty percent or more of the units in a condominium containing more than two units. (15) "Declarant" means: (a) Any person who executes as declarant a declaration as defined in subsection (17) of this section; or (b) Any person who reserves any special declarant right in the declaration; or (c) Any person who exercises special declarant rights or to whom special declarant rights are transferred; or (d) Any person who is the owner of a fee interest in the real property which is subjected to the declaration at the time of the recording of an instrument pursuant to RCW 64.34.316 and who directly or through one or more affiliates is materially involved in the construction, marketing, or sale of units in the condominium created by the recording of the instrument. (16) "Declarant control" means the right of the declarant or persons designated by the declarant to appoint and remove officers and members of the board of directors, or to veto or approve a proposed action of the board or association, pursuant to RCW 64.34.308 (5) or (6). (17) "Declaration" means the document, however denominated, that creates a condominium by setting forth the information required by RCW 64.34.216 and any amendments to that document. (18) "Development rights" means any right or combination of rights reserved by a declarant in the declaration to: (a) Add real property or improvements to a condominium; (b) create units, common elements, or limited common elements within real property included or added to a condominium; (c) subdivide units or convert units into common elements; (d) withdraw real property from a condominium; or (e) reallocate limited common elements with respect to units that have not been conveyed by the declarant. (19) "Dispose" or "disposition" means a voluntary transfer or conveyance to a purchaser or lessee of any legal or equitable interest in a unit, but does not include the transfer or release of a security interest. (20) "Effective age" means the difference between the estimated useful life and remaining useful life. (21) "Electronic transmission" or "electronically transmitted" means any electronic communication not directly involving the physical transfer of a writing in a tangible medium, but that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by the sender and the recipient of the communication, and that may be directly reproduced in a tangible medium by a sender and recipient. (22) "Eligible mortgagee" means the holder of a mortgage on a unit that has filed with the secretary of the association a written request that it be given copies of notices of any action by the association that requires the consent of mortgagees. (23) "Foreclosure" means a forfeiture or judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure of a mortgage or a deed in lieu thereof. (24) "Full funding plan" means setting a reserve funding goal of achieving one hundred percent fully funded reserves by the end of the thirty-year study period described under RCW 64.34.380, in which the reserve account balance equals the sum of the deteriorated portion of all reserve components. (25) "Fully funded balance" means the current value of the deteriorated portion, not the total replacement value, of all the reserve components. The fully funded balance for each reserve component is calculated by multiplying the current replacement cost of that reserve component by its effective age, then dividing the result by that reserve component's useful life. The sum total of all reserve components' fully funded balances is the association's fully funded balance. (26) "Identifying number" means the designation of each unit in a condominium. (27) "Leasehold condominium" means a condominium in which all or a portion of the real property is subject to a lease, the expiration or termination of which will terminate the condominium or reduce its size. (28) "Limited common element" means a portion of the common elements allocated by the declaration or by operation of RCW 64.34.204 (2) or (4) for the exclusive use of one or more but fewer than all of the units. (29) "Master association" means an organization described in RCW 64.34.276, whether or not it is also an association described in RCW 64.34.300. (30) "Mortgage" means a mortgage, deed of trust or real estate contract. (31) "Person" means a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, trust, governmental subdivision or agency, or other legal entity. (32) "Purchaser" means any person, other than a declarant or a dealer, who by means of a disposition acquires a legal or equitable interest in a unit other than (a) a leasehold interest, including renewal options, of less than twenty years at the time of creation of the unit, or (b) as security for an obligation. (33) "Real property" means any fee, leasehold or other estate or interest in, over, or under land, including structures, fixtures, and other improvements thereon and easements, rights and interests appurtenant thereto which by custom, usage, or law pass with a conveyance of land although not described in the contract of sale or instrument of conveyance. "Real property" includes parcels, with or without upper or lower boundaries, and spaces that may be filled with air or water. (34) "Remaining useful life" means the estimated time, in years, before a reserve component will require major maintenance, repair, or replacement to perform its intended function. (35) "Replacement cost" means the current cost of replacing, repairing, or restoring a reserve component to its original functional condition. (36) "Reserve component" means a common element whose cost of maintenance, repair, or replacement is infrequent, significant, and impractical to include in an annual budget. (37) "Reserve study professional" means an independent person who is suitably qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education to prepare a reserve study in accordance with RCW 64.34.380 and 64.34.382. (38) "Residential purposes" means use for dwelling or recreational purposes, or both. (39) "Significant assets" means that the current total cost of major maintenance, repair, and replacement of the reserve components is fifty percent or more of the gross budget of the association, excluding reserve account funds. (40) "Special declarant rights" means rights reserved for the benefit of a declarant to: (a) Complete improvements indicated on survey maps and plans filed with the declaration under RCW 64.34.232; (b) exercise any development right under RCW 64.34.236; (c) maintain sales offices, management offices, signs advertising the condominium, and models under RCW 64.34.256; (d) use easements through the common elements for the purpose of making improvements within the condominium or within real property which may be added to the condominium under RCW 64.34.260; (e) make the condominium part of a larger condominium or a development under RCW 64.34.280; (f) make the condominium subject to a master association under RCW 64.34.276; or (g) appoint or remove any officer of the association or any master association or any member of the board of directors, or to veto or approve a proposed action of the board or association, during any period of declarant control under RCW 64.34.308(5). (41) "Tangible medium" means a writing, copy of a writing, facsimile, or a physical reproduction, each on paper or on other tangible material. (42) "Timeshare" shall have the meaning specified in the timeshare act, RCW 64.36.010(11). (43) "Unit" means a physical portion of the condominium designated for separate ownership, the boundaries of which are described pursuant to RCW 64.34.216(1)(d). "Separate ownership" includes leasing a unit in a leasehold condominium under a lease that expires contemporaneously with any lease, the expiration or termination of which will remove the unit from the condominium. (44) "Unit owner" means a declarant or other person who owns a unit or leases a unit in a leasehold condominium under a lease that expires simultaneously with any lease, the expiration or termination of which will remove the unit from the condominium, but does not include a person who has an interest in a unit solely as security for an obligation. "Unit owner" means the vendee, not the vendor, of a unit under a real estate contract. (45) "Useful life" means the estimated time, between years, that major maintenance, repair, or replacement is estimated to occur. [ 2021 c 227 s 4. Prior: 2011 c 189 s 1; 2008 c 115 s 8; 2004 c 201 s 9; 1992 c 220 s 2; 1990 c 166 s 1; 1989 c 43 s 1-103.] NOTES: Reviser's note: RCW 64.34.030 Variation by agreement. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Except as expressly provided in this chapter, provisions of this chapter may not be varied by agreement, and rights conferred by this chapter may not be waived. A declarant may not act under a power of attorney or use any other device to evade the limitations or prohibitions of this chapter or the declaration. [1989 c 43 s 1-104.] RCW 64.34.040 Separate interests—Taxation. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) If there is any unit owner other than a declarant, each unit that has been created, together with its interest in the common elements, constitutes for all purposes a separate parcel of real property. (2) If there is any unit owner other than a declarant, each unit together with its interest in the common elements must be separately taxed and assessed. (3) If a development right has an ascertainable market value, the development right shall constitute a separate parcel of real property for property tax purposes and must be separately taxed and assessed to the declarant. (4) If there is no unit owner other than a declarant, the real property comprising the condominium may be taxed and assessed in any manner provided by law. [ 1992 c 220 s 3; 1989 c 43 s 1-105.] RCW 64.34.050 Local ordinances, regulations, and building codes—Applicability. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) A zoning, subdivision, building code, or other real property law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit the condominium form of ownership or impose any requirement upon a condominium which it would not impose upon a physically identical development under a different form of ownership. Otherwise, no provision of this chapter invalidates or modifies any provision of any zoning, subdivision, building code, or other real property use law, ordinance, or regulation. (2) This section shall not prohibit a county legislative authority from requiring the review and approval of declarations and amendments thereto and termination agreements executed pursuant to RCW 64.34.268(2) by the county assessor solely for the purpose of allocating the assessed value and property taxes. The review by the assessor shall be done in a reasonable and timely manner. [1989 c 43 s 1-106.] RCW 64.34.060 Condemnation. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) If a unit is acquired by condemnation, or if part of a unit is acquired by condemnation leaving the unit owner with a remnant of a unit which may not practically or lawfully be used for any purpose permitted by the declaration, the award must compensate the unit owner for the owner's unit and its appurtenant interest in the common elements, whether or not any common elements are acquired. Upon acquisition, unless the decree otherwise provides, that unit's allocated interests are automatically reallocated to the remaining units in proportion to the respective allocated interests of those units before the taking, and the association shall promptly prepare, execute, and record an amendment to the declaration reflecting the reallocations. Any remnant of a unit remaining after part of a unit is taken under this subsection is thereafter a common element. (2) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, if part of a unit is acquired by condemnation, the award must compensate the unit owner for the reduction in value of the unit and its appurtenant interest in the common elements, whether or not any common elements are acquired. Upon acquisition, unless the decree otherwise provides: (a) That unit's allocated interests are reduced in proportion to the reduction in the size of the unit, or on any other basis specified in the declaration; and (b) the portion of the allocated interests divested from the partially acquired unit are automatically reallocated to that unit and the remaining units in proportion to the respective allocated interests of those units before the taking, with the partially acquired unit participating in the reallocation on the basis of its reduced allocated interests. (3) If part of the common elements is acquired by condemnation the portion of the award attributable to the common elements taken shall be paid to the owners based on their respective interests in the common elements unless the declaration provides otherwise. Unless the declaration provides otherwise, any portion of the award attributable to the acquisition of a limited common element must be equally divided among the owners of the units to which that limited common element was allocated at the time of acquisition. (4) The court judgment shall be recorded in every county in which any portion of the condominium is located. (5) Should the association not act, based on a right reserved to the association in the declaration, on the owners' behalf in a condemnation process, the affected owners may individually or jointly act on their own behalf. [1989 c 43 s 1-107.] RCW 64.34.070 Law applicable—General principles. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) The principles of law and equity, including the law of corporations and unincorporated associations, the law of real property, and the law relative to capacity to contract, principal and agent, condemnation, estoppel, fraud, misrepresentation, duress, coercion, mistake, receivership, substantial performance, or other validating or invalidating cause supplement the provisions of this chapter, except to the extent inconsistent with this chapter. [1989 c 43 s 1-108.] RCW 64.34.073 Application of chapter 64.55 RCW. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Chapter 64.55 RCW includes requirements for: The inspection of the building enclosures of multiunit residential buildings, as defined in RCW 64.55.010, which includes condominiums and conversion condominiums; for provision of inspection and repair reports; and for the resolution of implied or express warranty disputes under chapter 64.34 RCW. [ 2005 c 456 s 21.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 64.34.076 Application to common interest communities. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) This chapter does not apply to common interest communities as defined in RCW 64.90.010: (a) Created on or after July 1, 2018; or (b) That have amended their governing documents to provide that chapter 64.90 RCW will apply to the common interest community pursuant to RCW 64.90.370. (2) Pursuant to RCW 64.90.365, the following provisions of chapter 64.90 RCW apply, and any inconsistent provisions of this chapter do not apply, to a common interest community created before July 1, 2018: (a) RCW 64.90.370; (b) RCW 64.90.405(1) (b) and (c); (c) RCW 64.90.445; (d) RCW 64.90.480(10); (e) RCW 64.90.502; (f) RCW 64.90.513; (g) RCW 64.90.525; (h) RCW 64.90.545; and (i) RCW 64.90.580. [ 2025 c 119 s 3; 2024 c 321 s 434; 2019 c 238 s 218; 2018 c 277 s 504.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 64.34.080 Contracts—Unconscionability. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) The court, upon finding as a matter of law that a contract or contract clause was unconscionable at the time the contract was made, may refuse to enforce the contract, enforce the remainder of the contract without the unconscionable clause, or limit the application of any unconscionable clause in order to avoid an unconscionable result. (2) Whenever it is claimed, or appears to the court, that a contract or any contract clause is or may be unconscionable, the parties, in order to aid the court in making the determination, shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to: (a) The commercial setting of the negotiations; (b) Whether a party has knowingly taken advantage of the inability of the other party reasonably to protect his or her interests by reason of physical or mental infirmity, illiteracy, or inability to understand the language of the agreement or similar factors; (c) The effect and purpose of the contract or clause; and (d) If a sale, any gross disparity at the time of contracting between the amount charged for the real property and the value of the real property measured by the price at which similar real property was readily obtainable in similar transactions, but a disparity between the contract price and the value of the real property measured by the price at which similar real property was readily obtainable in similar transactions does not, of itself, render the contract unconscionable. [1989 c 43 s 1-111.] RCW 64.34.090 Obligation of good faith. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Every contract or duty governed by this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith in its performance or enforcement. [1989 c 43 s 1-112.] RCW 64.34.100 Remedies liberally administered. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) The remedies provided by this chapter shall be liberally administered to the end that the aggrieved party is put in as good a position as if the other party had fully performed. However, consequential, special, or punitive damages may not be awarded except as specifically provided in this chapter or by other rule of law. (2) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 64.55.100 through 64.55.160 or chapter 64.35 RCW, any right or obligation declared by this chapter is enforceable by judicial proceeding. The arbitration proceedings provided for in RCW 64.55.100 through 64.55.160 shall be considered judicial proceedings for the purposes of this chapter. [ 2005 c 456 s 20; 2004 c 201 s 2; 1989 c 43 s 1-113.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 64.34.110 New declaration minimum density. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) A declaration created after July 23, 2023, and applicable to an area within a city subject to the middle housing requirements in RCW 36.70A.635 may not actively or effectively prohibit the construction, development, or use of additional housing units as required in RCW 36.70A.635. [ 2023 c 332 s 10.] NOTES: Finding— RCW 64.34.120 New declaration—Accessory dwelling units. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) Except a declaration created to protect public health and safety, and ground and surface waters from on-site wastewater, a declaration created after July 23, 2023, and applicable to a property located within an urban growth area may not impose any restriction or prohibition on the construction, development, or use on a lot of an accessory dwelling unit that the city or county in which the urban growth area is located would be prohibited from imposing under RCW 36.70A.681. (2) For the purposes of this section, "urban growth area" has the same meaning as in RCW 36.70A.030. (3) A city or county issuing a permit for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit may not be held civilly liable on the basis that the construction of the accessory dwelling unit would violate a restrictive covenant or deed restriction. [ 2023 c 334 s 9.] RCW 64.34.200 Creation of condominium. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) A condominium may be created pursuant to this chapter only by recording a declaration executed by the owner of the interest subject to this chapter in the same manner as a deed and by simultaneously recording a survey map and plans pursuant to RCW 64.34.232. The declaration and survey map and plans must be recorded in every county in which any portion of the condominium is located, and the condominium shall not have the same name as any other existing condominium, whether created under this chapter or under chapter 64.32 RCW, in any county in which the condominium is located. (2) A declaration or an amendment to a declaration adding units to a condominium may not be recorded unless (a) all structural components and mechanical systems of all buildings containing or comprising any units thereby created are substantially completed as evidenced by a recorded certificate of completion executed by the declarant which certificate may be included in the declaration or the amendment, the survey map and plans to be recorded pursuant to RCW 64.34.232, or a separately recorded written instrument, and (b) all horizontal and vertical boundaries of such units are substantially completed in accordance with the plans required to be recorded by RCW 64.34.232, as evidenced by a recorded certificate of completion executed by a licensed surveyor. [ 1992 c 220 s 4; 1990 c 166 s 2; 1989 c 43 s 2-101.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 64.34.202 Reservation of condominium name. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Upon the filing of a written request with the county office in which the declaration is to be recorded, using such form of written request as may be required by the county office and paying such fee as the county office may establish not in excess of fifty dollars, a person may reserve the exclusive right to use a particular name for a condominium to be created in that county. The name being reserved shall not be identical to any other condominium or subdivision plat located in that county, and such name reservation shall automatically lapse unless within three hundred sixty-five days from the date on which the name reservation is filed the person reserving that name either records a declaration using the reserved name or files a new name reservation request. [ 1992 c 220 s 5.] RCW 64.34.204 Unit boundaries. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Except as provided by the declaration: (1) The walls, floors, or ceilings are the boundaries of a unit, and all lath, furring, wallboard, plasterboard, plaster, paneling, tiles, wallpaper, paint, finished flooring, and any other materials constituting any part of the finished surfaces thereof are a part of the unit, and all other portions of the walls, floors, or ceilings are a part of the common elements. (2) If any chute, flue, duct, wire, conduit, bearing wall, bearing column, or any other fixture lies partially within and partially outside the designated boundaries of a unit, any portion thereof serving only that unit is a limited common element allocated solely to that unit, and any portion thereof serving more than one unit or any portion of the common elements is a part of the common elements. (3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, all spaces, interior partitions, and other fixtures and improvements within the boundaries of a unit are a part of the unit. (4) Any shutters, awnings, window boxes, doorsteps, stoops, porches, balconies, patios, and all exterior doors and windows or other fixtures designed to serve a single unit, but which are located outside the unit's boundaries, are limited common elements allocated exclusively to that unit. [ 1992 c 220 s 6; 1989 c 43 s 2-102.] RCW 64.34.208 Declaration and bylaws—Construction and validity. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) All provisions of the declaration and bylaws are severable. (2) The rule against perpetuities may not be applied to defeat any provision of the declaration, bylaws, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant to RCW 64.34.304(1)(a). (3) In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the declaration and the bylaws, the declaration prevails except to the extent the declaration is inconsistent with this chapter. (4) The creation of a condominium shall not be impaired and title to a unit and common elements shall not be rendered unmarketable or otherwise affected by reason of an insignificant failure of the declaration or survey map and plans or any amendment thereto to comply with this chapter. Whether a significant failure impairs marketability shall not be determined by this chapter. [1989 c 43 s 2-103.] RCW 64.34.212 Description of units. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) A description of a unit which sets forth the name of the condominium, the recording number for the declaration, the county in which the condominium is located, and the identifying number of the unit is a sufficient legal description of that unit and all rights, obligations, and interests appurtenant to that unit which were created by the declaration or bylaws. [1989 c 43 s 2-104.] RCW 64.34.216 Contents of declaration. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) The declaration for a condominium must contain: (a) The name of the condominium, which must include the word "condominium" or be followed by the words "a condominium," and the name of the association; (b) A legal description of the real property included in the condominium; (c) A statement of the number of units which the declarant has created and, if the declarant has reserved the right to create additional units, the number of such additional units; (d) The identifying number of each unit created by the declaration and a description of the boundaries of each unit if and to the extent they are different from the boundaries stated in RCW 64.34.204(1); (e) With respect to each existing unit: (i) The approximate square footage; (ii) The number of bathrooms, whole or partial; (iii) The number of rooms designated primarily as bedrooms; (iv) The number of built-in fireplaces; and (v) The level or levels on which each unit is located. The data described in (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subsection (1)(e) may be omitted with respect to units restricted to nonresidential use; (f) The number of parking spaces and whether covered, uncovered, or enclosed; (g) The number of moorage slips, if any; (h) A description of any limited common elements, other than those specified in RCW 64.34.204 (2) and (4), as provided in RCW 64.34.232(2)(j); (i) A description of any real property which may be allocated subsequently by the declarant as limited common elements, other than limited common elements specified in RCW 64.34.204 (2) and (4), together with a statement that they may be so allocated; (j) A description of any development rights and other special declarant rights under RCW 64.34.020(40) reserved by the declarant, together with a description of the real property to which the development rights apply, and a time limit within which each of those rights must be exercised; (k) If any development right may be exercised with respect to different parcels of real property at different times, a statement to that effect together with: (i) Either a statement fixing the boundaries of those portions and regulating the order in which those portions may be subjected to the exercise of each development right, or a statement that no assurances are made in those regards; and (ii) a statement as to whether, if any development right is exercised in any portion of the real property subject to that development right, that development right must be exercised in all or in any other portion of the remainder of that real property; (l) Any other conditions or limitations under which the rights described in (j) of this subsection may be exercised or will lapse; (m) An allocation to each unit of the allocated interests in the manner described in RCW 64.34.224; (n) Any restrictions in the declaration on use, occupancy, or alienation of the units; (o) A cross-reference by recording number to the survey map and plans for the units created by the declaration; and (p) All matters required or permitted by RCW 64.34.220 through 64.34.232, 64.34.256, 64.34.260, 64.34.276, and 64.34.308(5). (2) All amendments to the declaration shall contain a cross-reference by recording number to the declaration and to any prior amendments thereto. All amendments to the declaration adding units shall contain a cross-reference by recording number to the survey map and plans relating to the added units and set forth all information required by RCW 64.34.216(1) with respect to the added units. (3) The declaration may contain any other matters the declarant deems appropriate. [ 2025 c 58 s 2034; 1992 c 220 s 7; 1989 c 43 s 2-105.] NOTES: Expiration date— RCW 64.34.220 Leasehold condominiums. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) Any lease, the expiration or termination of which may terminate the condominium or reduce its size, or a memorandum thereof, shall be recorded. Every lessor of those leases must sign the declaration, and the declaration shall state: (a) The recording number of the lease or a statement of where the complete lease may be inspected; (b) The date on which the lease is scheduled to expire; (c) A legal description of the real property subject to the lease; (d) Any right of the unit owners to redeem the reversion and the manner whereby those rights may be exercised, or a statement that they do not have those rights; (e) Any right of the unit owners to remove any improvements within a reasonable time after the expiration or termination of the lease, or a statement that they do not have those rights; and (f) Any rights of the unit owners to renew the lease and the conditions of any renewal, or a statement that they do not have those rights. (2) The declaration may provide for the collection by the association of the proportionate rents paid on the lease by the unit owners and may designate the association as the representative of the unit owners on all matters relating to the lease. (3) If the declaration does not provide for the collection of rents by the association, the lessor may not terminate the interest of a unit owner who makes timely payment of the owner's share of the rent and otherwise complies with all covenants other than the payment of rent which, if violated, would entitle the lessor to terminate the lease. (4) Acquisition of the leasehold interest of any unit owner by the owner of the reversion or remainder does not merge the leasehold and fee simple interests unless the leasehold interests of all unit owners subject to that reversion or remainder are acquired and the owner thereof records a document confirming the merger. (5) If the expiration or termination of a lease decreases the number of units in a condominium, the allocated interests shall be reallocated in accordance with RCW 64.34.060(1) as though those units had been taken by condemnation. Reallocations shall be confirmed by an amendment to the declaration and survey map and plans prepared, executed, and recorded by the association. [1989 c 43 s 2-106.] RCW 64.34.224 Common element interests, votes, and expenses—Allocation. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) The declaration shall allocate a fraction or percentage of undivided interests in the common elements and in the common expenses of the association, and a portion of the votes in the association, to each unit and state the formulas or methods used to establish those allocations. Those allocations may not discriminate in favor of units owned by the declarant or an affiliate of the declarant. (2) If units may be added to or withdrawn from the condominium, the declaration shall state the formulas or methods to be used to reallocate the allocated interests among all units included in the condominium after the addition or withdrawal. (3) The declaration may provide: (a) For cumulative voting only for the purpose of electing members of the board of directors; and (b) for class voting on specified issues affecting the class if necessary to protect valid interests of the class. A declarant may not utilize cumulative or class voting for the purpose of evading any limitation imposed on declarants by this chapter, nor may units constitute a class because they are owned by a declarant. (4) Except for minor variations due to rounding, the sum of the undivided interests in the common elements and common expense liabilities allocated at any time to all the units must each equal one if stated as fractions or one hundred percent if stated as percentages. In the event of discrepancy between an allocated interest and the result derived from application of the pertinent formula, the allocated interest prevails. (5) Except where permitted by other sections of this chapter, the common elements are not subject to partition, and any purported conveyance, encumbrance, judicial sale, or other voluntary or involuntary transfer of an undivided interest in the common elements made without the unit to which that interest is allocated is void. [ 1992 c 220 s 8; 1989 c 43 s 2-107.] RCW 64.34.228 Limited common elements. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) Except for the limited common elements described in RCW 64.34.204 (2) and (4), the declaration shall specify to which unit or units each limited common element is allocated. (2) Except in the case of a reallocation being made by a declarant pursuant to a development right reserved in the declaration, a limited common element may only be reallocated between units with the approval of the board of directors and by an amendment to the declaration executed by the owners of the units to which the limited common element was and will be allocated. The board of directors shall approve the request of the owner or owners under this subsection within thirty days, or within such other period provided by the declaration, unless the proposed reallocation does not comply with this chapter or the declaration. The failure of the board of directors to act upon a request within such period shall be deemed approval thereof. The amendment shall be recorded in the names of the parties and of the condominium. (3) Unless otherwise provided in the declaration, the owners of units to which at least sixty-seven percent of the votes are allocated, including the owner of the unit to which the limited common element will be assigned or incorporated, must agree to reallocate a common element as a limited common element or to incorporate a common element or a limited common element into an existing unit. Such reallocation or incorporation shall be reflected in an amendment to the declaration, survey map, or plans. [ 1992 c 220 s 9; 1989 c 43 s 2-108.] RCW 64.34.232 Survey maps and plans. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) A survey map and plans executed by the declarant shall be recorded simultaneously with, and contain cross-references by recording number to, the declaration and any amendments. The survey map and plans must be clear and legible and contain a certification by the person making the survey or the plans that all information required by this section is supplied. All plans filed shall be in such style, size, form and quality as shall be prescribed by the recording authority of the county where filed, and a copy shall be delivered to the county assessor. (2) Each survey map shall show or state: (a) The name of the condominium and a legal description and a survey of the land in the condominium and of any land that may be added to the condominium; (b) The boundaries of all land not subject to development rights, or subject only to the development right to withdraw, and the location and dimensions of all existing buildings containing units on that land; (c) The boundaries of any land subject to development rights, labeled "SUBJECT TO DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION"; any land that may be added to the condominium shall also be labeled "MAY BE ADDED TO THE CONDOMINIUM"; any land that may be withdrawn from the condominium shall also be labeled "MAY BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE CONDOMINIUM"; (d) The extent of any encroachments by or upon any portion of the condominium; (e) To the extent feasible, the location and dimensions of all recorded easements serving or burdening any portion of the condominium and any unrecorded easements of which a surveyor knows or reasonably should have known, based on standard industry practices, while conducting the survey; (f) Subject to the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, the location and dimensions of any vertical unit boundaries not shown or projected on plans recorded under subsection (4) of this section and that unit's identifying number; (g) The location with reference to an established datum of any horizontal unit boundaries not shown or projected on plans recorded under subsection (4) of this section and that unit's identifying number; (h) The location and dimensions of any real property in which the unit owners will own only an estate for years, labeled as "leasehold real property"; (i) The distance between any noncontiguous parcels of real property comprising the condominium; (j) The general location of any existing principal common amenities listed in a public offering statement under RCW 64.34.410(1)(j) and any limited common elements, including limited common element porches, balconies, patios, parking spaces, and storage facilities, but not including the other limited common elements described in RCW 64.34.204 (2) and (4); (k) In the case of real property not subject to development rights, all other matters customarily shown on land surveys. (3) A survey map may also show the intended location and dimensions of any contemplated improvement to be constructed anywhere within the condominium. Any contemplated improvement shown must be labeled either "MUST BE BUILT" or "NEED NOT BE BUILT." (4) To the extent not shown or projected on the survey map, plans of the existing units must show or project: (a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, the location and dimensions of the vertical boundaries of each unit, and that unit's identifying number; (b) Any horizontal unit boundaries, with reference to an established datum, and that unit's identifying number; and (c) Any units in which the declarant has reserved the right to create additional units or common elements under RCW 64.34.236(3), identified appropriately. (5) Unless the declaration provides otherwise, the horizontal boundaries of part of a unit located outside of a building have the same elevation as the horizontal boundaries of the inside part and in such case need not be depicted on the survey map and plans. (6) Upon exercising any development right, the declarant shall record either a new survey map and plans necessary to conform to the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section or new certifications of a survey map and plans previously recorded if the documents otherwise conform to the requirements of those subsections. (7) Any survey map, plan, or certification required by this section shall be made by a licensed surveyor. (8) In showing or projecting the location and dimensions of the vertical boundaries of a unit under subsections (2)(f) and (4)(a) of this section, it is not necessary to show the thickness of the walls constituting the vertical boundaries or otherwise show the distance of those vertical boundaries either from the exterior surface of the building containing that unit or from adjacent vertical boundaries of other units if: (a) The walls are designated to be the vertical boundaries of that unit; (b) the unit is located within a building, the location and dimensions of the building having been shown on the survey map under subsection (2)(b) of this section; and (c) the graphic general location of the vertical boundaries are shown in relation to the exterior surfaces of that building and to the vertical boundaries of other units within that building. [ 1997 c 400 s 2; 1992 c 220 s 10; 1989 c 43 s 2-109.] RCW 64.34.236 Development rights. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) To exercise any development right reserved under RCW 64.34.216(1)(j), the declarant shall prepare, execute, and record an amendment to the declaration under RCW 64.34.264, and comply with RCW 64.34.232. The declarant is the unit owner of any units thereby created. The amendment to the declaration shall assign an identifying number to each new unit created, and, except in the case of subdivision or conversion of units described in subsection (2) of this section, reallocate the allocated interests among all units. The amendment must describe any common elements and any limited common elements thereby created and, in the case of limited common elements, designate the unit to which each is allocated to the extent required by RCW 64.34.228. (2) Development rights may be reserved within any real property added to the condominium if the amendment adding that real property includes all matters required by RCW 64.34.216 or 64.34.220, as the case may be, and the survey map and plans include all matters required by RCW 64.34.232. This provision does not extend the time limit on the exercise of development rights imposed by the declaration pursuant to RCW 64.34.216(1)(j). (3) Whenever a declarant exercises a development right to subdivide or convert a unit previously created into additional units, common elements, or both: (a) If the declarant converts the unit entirely to common elements, the amendment to the declaration must reallocate all the allocated interests of that unit among the other units as if that unit had been taken by condemnation under RCW 64.34.060. (b) If the declarant subdivides the unit into two or more units, whether or not any part of the unit is converted into common elements, the amendment to the declaration must reallocate all the allocated interests of the unit among the units created by the subdivision in any reasonable and equitable manner prescribed by the declarant. (4) If the declaration provides, pursuant to RCW 64.34.216(1)(j), that all or a portion of the real property is subject to the development right of withdrawal: (a) If all the real property is subject to withdrawal, and the declaration or survey map or amendment thereto does not describe separate portions of real property subject to that right, none of the real property may be withdrawn if a unit in that portion of the real property is owned by a person other than the declarant; and (b) If a portion or portions are subject to withdrawal as described in the declaration or in the survey map or in any amendment thereto, no portion may be withdrawn if a unit in that portion of the real property is owned by a person other than the declarant. [1989 c 43 s 2-110.] RCW 64.34.240 Alterations of units. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Subject to the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, a unit owner: (1) May make any improvements or alterations to the owner's unit that do not affect the structural integrity or mechanical or electrical systems or lessen the support of any portion of the condominium; (2) May not change the appearance of the common elements or the exterior appearance of a unit without permission of the association; (3) After acquiring an adjoining unit or an adjoining part of an adjoining unit may, with approval of the board of directors, remove or alter any intervening partition or create apertures therein, even if the partition in whole or in part is a common element, if those acts do not adversely affect the structural integrity or mechanical or electrical systems or lessen the support of any portion of the condominium. Removal of partitions or creation of apertures under this subsection is not a relocation of boundaries. The board of directors shall approve a unit owner's request, which request shall include the plans and specifications for the proposed removal or alteration, under this subsection within thirty days, or within such other period provided by the declaration, unless the proposed alteration does not comply with this chapter or the declaration or impairs the structural integrity or mechanical or electrical systems in the condominium. The failure of the board of directors to act upon a request within such period shall be deemed approval thereof. [1989 c 43 s 2-111.] RCW 64.34.244 Relocation of boundaries—Adjoining units. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) Subject to the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, the boundaries between adjoining units may only be relocated by an amendment to the declaration upon application to the association by the owners of those units. If the owners of the adjoining units have specified a reallocation between their units of their allocated interests, the application must state the proposed reallocations. Unless the board of directors determines within thirty days, or such other period provided in the declaration, that the reallocations are unreasonable, the association shall prepare an amendment that identifies the units involved, states the reallocations, is executed by those unit owners, contains words of conveyance between them, and is recorded in the name of the grantor and the grantee. (2) The association shall obtain and record survey maps or plans complying with the requirements of RCW 64.34.232(4) necessary to show the altered boundaries between adjoining units and their dimensions and identifying numbers. [1989 c 43 s 2-112.] RCW 64.34.248 Subdivision of units. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) If the declaration permits, a unit may be subdivided into two or more units. Subject to the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, upon application of a unit owner to subdivide a unit, the association shall prepare, execute, and record an amendment to the declaration, including survey maps and plans, subdividing that unit. (2) The amendment to the declaration must be executed by the owner of the unit to be subdivided, assign an identifying number to each unit created, and reallocate the allocated interests formerly allocated to the subdivided unit to the new units in any reasonable and equitable manner prescribed by the owner of the subdivided unit. [1989 c 43 s 2-113.] RCW 64.34.252 Monuments as boundaries. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) The physical boundaries of a unit constructed in substantial accordance with the original survey map and set of plans thereof become its boundaries rather than the metes and bounds expressed in the survey map or plans, regardless of settling or lateral movement of the building or minor variance between boundaries shown on the survey map or plans and those of the building. This section does not relieve a declarant or any other person of liability for failure to adhere to the survey map and plans. [1989 c 43 s 2-114.] RCW 64.34.256 Use by declarant. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) A declarant may maintain sales offices, management offices, and models in units or on common elements in the condominium only if the declaration so provides and specifies the rights of a declarant with regard to the number, location, and relocation thereof. Any sales office, management office, or model not designated a unit by the declaration is a common element and, if a declarant ceases to be a unit owner, the declarant ceases to have any rights with regard thereto unless it is removed promptly from the condominium in accordance with a right to remove reserved in the declaration. Subject to any limitations in the declaration, a declarant may maintain signs on the common elements advertising the condominium. The provisions of this section are subject to the provisions of other state law and to local ordinances. [ 1992 c 220 s 11; 1989 c 43 s 2-115.] RCW 64.34.260 Easement rights—Common elements. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) Subject to the provisions of the declaration, a declarant has an easement through the common elements as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of discharging a declarant's obligations or exercising special declarant rights, whether arising under this chapter or reserved in the declaration. [1989 c 43 s 2-116.] RCW 64.34.264 Amendment of declaration. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) Except in cases of amendments that may be executed by a declarant under RCW 64.34.232(6) or 64.34.236; the association under RCW 64.34.060, 64.34.220(5), 64.34.228(3), 64.34.244(1), 64.34.248, or 64.34.268(8); or certain unit owners under RCW 64.34.228(2), 64.34.244(1), 64.34.248(2), or 64.34.268(2), and except as limited by subsection (4) of this section, the declaration, including the survey maps and plans, may be amended only by vote or agreement of unit owners of units to which at least sixty-seven percent of the votes in the association are allocated, or any larger percentage the declaration specifies: PROVIDED, That the declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units are restricted exclusively to nonresidential use. (2) No action to challenge the validity of an amendment adopted by the association pursuant to this section may be brought more than one year after the amendment is recorded. (3) Every amendment to the declaration must be recorded in every county in which any portion of the condominium is located, and is effective only upon recording. An amendment shall be indexed in the name of the condominium and shall contain a cross-reference by recording number to the declaration and each previously recorded amendment thereto. (4) Except to the extent expressly permitted or required by other provisions of this chapter, no amendment may create or increase special declarant rights, increase the number of units, change the boundaries of any unit, the allocated interests of a unit, or the uses to which any unit is restricted, in the absence of the vote or agreement of the owner of each unit particularly affected and the owners of units to which at least ninety percent of the votes in the association are allocated other than the declarant or such larger percentage as the declaration provides. (5) Amendments to the declaration required by this chapter to be recorded by the association shall be prepared, executed, recorded, and certified on behalf of the association by any officer of the association designated for that purpose or, in the absence of designation, by the president of the association. (6) No amendment may restrict, eliminate, or otherwise modify any special declarant right provided in the declaration without the consent of the declarant and any mortgagee of record with a security interest in the special declarant right or in any real property subject thereto, excluding mortgagees of units owned by persons other than the declarant. [1989 c 43 s 2-117.] RCW 64.34.268 Termination of condominium. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1) Except in the case of a taking of all the units by condemnation under RCW 64.34.060, a condominium may be terminated only by agreement of unit owners of units to which at least eighty percent of the votes in the association are allocated, or any larger percentage the declaration specifies: PROVIDED, That the declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units in the condominium are restricted exclusively to nonresidential uses. (2) An agreement to terminate must be evidenced by the execution of a termination agreement or ratifications thereof, in the same manner as a deed, by the requisite number of unit owners. The termination agreement must specify a date after which the agreement will be void unless it is recorded before that date and shall contain a description of the manner in which the creditors of the association will be paid or provided for. A termination agreement and all ratifications thereof must be recorded in every county in which a portion of the condominium is situated and is effective only upon recording. A termination agreement may be amended by complying with all of the requirements of this section. (3) A termination agreement may provide that all the common elements and units of the condominium shall be sold following termination. If, pursuant to the agreement, any real property in the condominium is to be sold following termination, the termination agreement must set forth the minimum terms of the sale. (4) The association, on behalf of the unit owners, may contract for the sale of real property in the condominium, but the contract is not binding on the unit owners until approved pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section. If any real property in the condominium is to be sold following termination, title to that real property, upon termination, vests in the association as trustee for the holders of all interests in the units. Thereafter, the association has all powers necessary and appropriate to effect the sale. Until the sale has been concluded and the proceeds thereof distributed, the association continues in existence with all powers it had before termination. Proceeds of the sale must be distributed to unit owners and lienholders as their interests may appear, in proportion to the respective interests of unit owners as provided in subsection (7) of this section. Unless otherwise specified in the termination agreement, as long as the association holds title to the real property, each unit owner and the owner's successors in interest have an exclusive right to occupancy of the portion of the real property that formerly constituted the owner's unit. During the period of that oc