Buying a home in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners association (HOA) means agreeing to maintain community standards.
From maintaining landscaping to approving exterior renovations, HOA boards play an important role in protecting property values and keeping neighborhoods attractive and well-maintained. However, HOA boards do not have unlimited authority.
Every community is unique, so understanding state law and your association’s governing documents is always wise.
What Laws Govern HOAs in Texas?
Every homeowners association operates under a combination of state law and its own governing documents. Together, these regulations determine how an HOA functions, how rules are enforced, and what rights homeowners have within the community.
Texas Property Code and HOA Regulations
Most residential HOAs in Texas are governed by provisions of the Texas Property Code, which establishes many of the legal requirements associations must follow. These laws cover issues such as:
- Board meetings and voting procedures
- Access to association records
- Notice requirements before certain enforcement actions
- Collection of assessments
- Election procedures
- Rule enforcement and homeowner protections
Texas legislators have updated many of these statutes over the years to improve transparency and provide stronger protections for property owners.
While boards still have broad authority to manage their communities, they must generally exercise that authority in accordance with applicable Texas HOA laws.
Because HOA legislation continues to evolve, homeowners should rely on current information rather than assumptions or outdated advice from neighbors in their HOA community.
HOA Governing Documents Also Matter
State law is only part of the picture. Every association also operates according to its own governing documents, which outline the community’s specific HOA rules and regulations.
These documents often include:
- The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
- Articles of Incorporation
- HOA bylaws that Texas associations adopt to govern board operations
- Community rules and policies
The declaration generally establishes what homeowners can and cannot do with their property, while the bylaws explain how the association is governed.
Additional rules may address everyday matters such as parking, amenity use, architectural standards, or maintenance expectations.
Whenever there’s uncertainty about a rule, homeowners should review both the governing documents and applicable Texas HOA laws, since association rules cannot override state law.
What Rights Do Texas Homeowners Have?
Living in an HOA comes with responsibilities, but it also comes with important legal protections. Understanding your HOA member rights can help you participate in your community and respond appropriately if disagreements arise.