Free HOA Amendment Template
Changing your CC&Rs or bylaws starts with a properly drafted amendment. A sloppy one — wrong document name, missing vote count, no recording — can be thrown out by a judge years later. Here is a free template and a walkthrough of what belongs in each section.
Download the free template
Download the HOA amendment template — a plain-text form with sections for recitals, amended text with old-versus-new language, the approval record, officer signatures, notary acknowledgment, and county recording information. Copy it into your word processor and fill in the details for your specific change. For more board documents, visit our free HOA templates page.
What the template covers
Recitals
The recitals are the “whereas” clauses at the top of the amendment. They establish three things the document must prove on its face.
Which document is being amended. State the full title — “Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions” or “Bylaws” — along with the original recording date and instrument number. If the CC&Rs have been restated or previously amended, reference the most recent version. An amendment that points to the wrong version of the document can be challenged.
Authority to amend. Cite the specific article and section in the original document that grants the right to amend, plus any state statute that applies. For example, “Article XII, Section 3, authorizes amendment upon the affirmative vote of sixty-seven percent of all owners.” This shows anyone reading the amendment where the power comes from.
Member approval. State that a vote of the membership was conducted on a specific date and that the required approval threshold was met. This connects the amendment to the vote record that appears later in the document. For background on the documents that govern your association, see our guide on HOA governing documents.
Amended text — old versus new
This is the core of the document. For each section you are changing, the template asks you to do two things.
First, quote the existing language. Type out the current text of the section word for word. This removes any ambiguity about what the amendment replaces.
Second, state the new language. Write the replacement text exactly as it should appear going forward. Use strikethrough for removed language and bold or underline for new language so any reader can spot the difference at a glance.
If you are adding an entirely new section rather than changing one, note where it falls in the document’s numbering scheme. If you are deleting a section, say so explicitly and address any renumbering that results. Repeat the old-versus-new block for each section being amended.
Approval record
The approval record proves the amendment passed according to the rules in your governing documents. The template captures the essential data points.
Date of vote. The calendar date when ballots were counted.
Total eligible voters. The number of all owners in the association, not just those who showed up or mailed in a ballot. Most amendment clauses measure the threshold against all owners, so nonvoters effectively count as “no” votes.
Vote breakdown. Votes in favor, votes against, and abstentions.
Required threshold. The percentage required by the amendment clause — typically 67% or 75% of all owners.
Method of vote. Whether ballots were cast in person, by mail, or a combination. Keep the actual ballots on file. You may need them if the amendment is challenged.
Signatures and notary
The template includes a signature block for the association president and secretary. Both officers certify that the amendment was duly approved as stated in the approval record.
Below the signatures is a standard notary acknowledgment. The notary verifies the identity of the signers, which is required for recording with most county recorders. Schedule the notary appointment shortly after the vote so the document is ready to record.
Recording information
CC&R amendments must be recorded with the county recorder to run with the land. Until an amendment is recorded, it may not bind a new buyer who purchases a unit after the vote. The template includes a space at the bottom for the recorder’s stamp, instrument number, and book and page reference.
Bylaw amendments usually do not need to be recorded, but they should still be signed, dated, and filed with the association’s official records. Send a copy to every owner after the amendment is adopted.
How to customize the template
Check the threshold first. Before you draft anything, open your CC&Rs or bylaws and find the amendment clause. It will tell you the exact vote percentage you need. Getting this wrong wastes everyone’s time — a vote that passes at 60% when the documents require 67% is invalid.
Use the most current version. Make sure you are working from the most recently restated or amended CC&Rs, not the original from decades ago. Amending language that has already been superseded creates a conflict in the recorded documents.
Get legal review. An attorney who handles community association law can catch drafting errors that could make the amendment unenforceable. This is especially important for substantive changes like assessment increases, use restrictions, or architectural standards.
Give plenty of notice. Mail the proposed amendment text to all owners well ahead of the vote. At least 30 days is standard, and your governing documents or state law may require more. Include a plain-language summary alongside the legal text so owners understand what they are voting on.
Hold the vote properly. Follow your documents’ voting rules exactly. If the CC&Rs require a secret ballot, use one. If they allow proxy voting, make sure proxies are in proper form. A procedural misstep can invalidate the result even if the raw numbers were sufficient.
Common mistakes to avoid
Amending the wrong version. If the CC&Rs were restated in 2015, do not draft an amendment to the 1998 original. Always start from the latest recorded version.
Failing to reach the threshold. A majority of those who vote is not the same as a majority of all owners. Most amendment clauses count nonvoters against you, so turnout strategy matters as much as persuasion.
Skipping the recording. An unrecorded CC&R amendment may not survive a property sale. Record the signed document with the county as soon as the vote passes.
Vague language. Broad phrases like “the board may adjust fees as needed” invite disputes. State the specific change in specific terms so there is no room for disagreement about what was approved.
After the amendment is adopted
Distribute a copy of the recorded amendment to all owners. Update the association’s master copy of the CC&Rs or bylaws so new board members and future owners see the current version. If the amendment changes rules that affect daily life — parking, pets, assessments, architectural standards — update any separate rules documents, the community website, and management-company records to match.
For more free templates and board resources, visit our free HOA templates collection.
Frequently asked questions
How do you amend HOA CC&Rs?
Start by reading the amendment clause in your current CC&Rs — it specifies the required vote threshold, usually a supermajority of all owners. Draft the amendment in writing, circulate it to members with enough notice, hold the vote, and if it passes, have the officers sign the document and record it with the county recorder so it runs with the land.
What vote percentage is needed to amend HOA documents?
It depends on what your CC&Rs or bylaws say. Most CC&Rs require a supermajority — often 67% of all owners, sometimes 75%. Bylaws may have a lower threshold. Always check the specific amendment clause in the document you want to change before scheduling a vote.
Does an HOA amendment need to be recorded?
CC&R amendments should be recorded with the county recorder so the change becomes part of the public land records and binds future buyers. Bylaw amendments typically do not need recording but should be filed with the association's official records and distributed to all owners.
Can a board amend CC&Rs without a member vote?
Almost never. CC&R amendments nearly always require a vote of the membership, not just the board. Some states allow limited board amendments for technical corrections or to comply with new laws, but substantive changes need member approval. Check your CC&Rs and state statute for the exact rules.
How long does an HOA amendment process take?
Plan for at least 60 to 90 days. You need time to draft the amendment, have it reviewed by an attorney, circulate it to members with the required notice period, hold the vote, collect and count ballots, and then record the signed document with the county. If the first vote fails to reach the threshold, you may need a second attempt.
What's the difference between an HOA resolution and an amendment?
A resolution is a board-level decision — adopting a policy, setting a fee, or approving a procedure — that doesn't change the actual text of the CC&Rs or bylaws and usually just needs a board vote. An amendment permanently rewrites the recorded document itself and almost always needs a member vote at whatever supermajority threshold the CC&Rs or bylaws set, plus recording with the county for CC&R changes. If the board can approve it alone and no recorded document language changes, it's a resolution, not an amendment.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Your association's governing documents and your state's statute control — confirm specifics with a licensed professional.