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CHAPTER 11:
FEES, FINES, &
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Community associations generate their operating funds by collecting
fees, fines, and special assessments from association members. This
money allows the association to carry out its responsibilities.
FEES
Fees are the monthly, quarterly, or yearly dues that residents pay to
the association.
Fees are directly tied to the size, cost, and complexity of the
association's shared amenities and other operational expenses.
What fees cover depends on your association. For example, in some
master-planned communities, fees may help pay for swimming pools,
fitness equipment, and other amenities like tennis courts and parks.
Condo associations may use their fees to maintain lobbies and pay
for a trash valet.
FINES
Primarily issued to enforce community guidelines, fines are an
indirect source of income for an association. Fines are issued for
violations of community rules and standards. Violations can vary but
may include offenses like ignoring lawn care, parking in undesignated
areas, or violating noise restrictions.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Occasionally, a board may need to pass a one-time special
assessment to pay for an unexpected cost, such as an increase
in insurance or a surprise repair bill for a pool or clubhouse. The
amount, rules, and processes for adopting a special assessment vary
by association.
