Does my HOA need to comply with the ADA?

ada.jpg

The ADA mandates accommodations for disabled persons in public facilities, which could affect your homeowners community.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities, including the ability to access and enjoy public and commercial facilities. Many homeowners associations (HOA) are often confused on whether they need to comply with the ADA. Just as with the Fair Housing Act , it often depends.

Generally, the ADA will apply to parts of community amenities not used solely by residents. For instance, if your community has a pool that is open only to residents or their guests, your HOA is not required to comply with the ADA. However, if your association is part of a timeshare, rents the pool to members of the public, or allows the pool to be used for public events (such as swim meets), then your HOA likely does need to comply with ADA accessibility standards.

The same is true of any common space used for public events, such as a game or meeting hosted by the HOA that is open to members of the public and held at an association’s clubhouse. Parking lots that provide guest parking can also be argued to be public spaces that are covered by the ADA.

Unlike the Fair Housing Act, which only requires an HOA to make modifications if the change is considered reasonable, any area within a community association that falls under the ADA must be modified. And that modification must be paid for by the HOA.

If your HOA has concerns, or is not certain whether areas of the community might fall under ADA regulations, be sure to talk with an attorney. Even if the ADA is not applicable to these areas of concern, there may be other laws designed to protect disabled individuals that apply.

This article contains general information. Individual situations are unique; please, consult your attorney before utilizing any of the information contained in this article.

Related Articles

Source: Colorado Homeowners Association Law, Tinnelly Law Group, The Meisner Law Group
Search All Articles
Related Articles
Caution: Bully on Board
Bully_word_imageDo you have a bully on your HOA board? The kind of person whose presence is hard to endure.
Nobody Wants to Be the Board Treasurer - What Do You Do?
768px-green_tick.svgThe most important board role and the one with the most work is the Treasurer.
Money Tips for Young People
TaxespreadsmFinancial matters can seem complicated as a Millennial.
Are You Prepared for a Blizzard?
Blizzard2017 saw some of the most extreme weather in years

More...
Most Popular
Conventional Storage Water Heaters
Storage_water_heater_thHow storage water heaters work; what criteria to use when selecting the right model; and some installation, maintenance, and safety tips.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
CreditcardthumbYour credit score is calculated using a complex algorithm that takes into account many different factors.
Ohio - The Buckeye State
OhiothumbHighly populated, Ohio is situated between the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest.
Homeowners Roles and Responsibilities
HomeownerrolesthumbPurchasing a new home is a very exciting time and one that requires an enormous amount of thought and consideration.

More...

Zip Code Profiler

Neighborhoods, Home Values, Schools, City & State Data, Sex Offender Lists, more.

Instant Home Value!