Common Ownership Communities (Condominiums, Homeowner Associations & Co-operatives)

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What is a Common Ownership Community?

The term common ownership community includes homeowner associations, residential condominiums, and cooperative housing projects.

Who Must Register?

Chapter 10B of the Montgomery County Code requires that the leadership of each common ownership community register annually with the Commission on Common Ownership Communities. The registration requirement DOES NOT APPLY to communities located within the city limits of certain incorporated municipalities. To determine if registration requirements apply, a community should call the Licensing and Registration unit at 240-777-3799.

What's the Process?

The registration process is performed by the Licensing and Registration unit of the Office of Consumer Protection. The process includes completion of a Registration Form, submission of a complete and current copy of the recorded governing documents, and payment of annual registration fees, which are calculated based upon the number of units located in the common ownership community. Once a community is registered, the Licensing and Registration unit automatically generates a renewal notice each year.

Are there penalties for failure to register?

Any common ownership community that fails to register is subject to a class A violation and may have to pay civil fines as a penalty.

For registration fee amounts and further information, refer to Frequently Asked Licensing/Registration Questions or contact the Licensing and Registration unit at 240-777-3799.