Quick Answer
Maine regulates condominiums but has no comprehensive statute for homeowners associations in ordinary subdivisions. Condominiums are governed by the Maine Condominium Act, 33 M.R.S. 1601-101 et seq. (older condominiums may fall under the Unit Ownership Act, 33 M.R.S. 560 et seq.). Subdivision HOAs rely on recorded covenants, bylaws, and the Maine Nonprofit Corporation Act, 13-B M.R.S. 101 et seq., if incorporated.
Which laws govern HOAs and condominiums in Maine
The first question for any Maine association is whether it is a condominium. If it is, a detailed statute applies. If it is a planned community of separately owned lots, Maine law offers far less, and the association's authority comes mainly from its recorded declaration and, if incorporated, from nonprofit corporation law.
- Maine Condominium Act, 33 M.R.S. chapter 31 (sections 1601-101 to 1604-118). Covers creation of condominiums, association powers, meetings, voting, assessments, the assessment lien, association records, and purchaser protections. Per section 1601-102, it applies to condominiums created under the Act and to older condominiums that amend their instruments to come under it. Several sections, including the lien (1603-116), association records (1603-118), and resale provisions (1604-108), also reach condominiums created before the Act. See the official statute.
- Maine Unit Ownership Act, 33 M.R.S. 560 et seq. The earlier condominium statute. Section 1601-102 refers to sections 560 through 587 of Title 33 in addressing older condominiums, so a pre-Act condominium may be affected by both laws. Ask an attorney which applies.
- Maine Nonprofit Corporation Act, 13-B M.R.S. 101 et seq. The Condominium Act itself refers to this Act for special meetings of the association. Incorporated HOAs rely on it for general governance.
- Maine Solar Rights chapter, 33 M.R.S. chapter 28-A, section 1423. For legal instruments adopted or created after September 30, 2009, an instrument may not prohibit installing or using a solar energy device on residential property the person owns, though it may prohibit them on common elements of a condominium or property in common ownership with third parties, and may include reasonable restrictions.
- Your governing documents. For subdivision HOAs, the recorded declaration is the principal source of rules, assessments and enforcement authority.
One caution: some general guides describe Maine as having a planned community or common interest law. We found no such statute in the official text of the Maine Condominium Act, whose applicability section addresses condominiums only. Maine does have a legislative review underway, discussed under recent changes below.
Key HOA and condo topics at a glance
Unless noted, the points below come from the Maine Condominium Act, so they apply to condominiums. Subdivision HOAs should read their documents and, if incorporated, the Nonprofit Corporation Act.
| Topic | What Maine law says |
|---|---|
| Assessments and liens | Assessments are set at least annually from a budget. Past due assessments bear interest at a rate set by the association not exceeding 18 percent per year (33 M.R.S. 1603-115). The association has a lien for assessments and fines, enforceable like a mortgage, and recording the declaration serves as notice, so no separate lien recording is required. The lien ranks behind a recorded first mortgage and is extinguished unless enforcement starts within 6 years (1603-116). |
| Records access | Associations retain defined records (accounting records for 6 years, minutes, owner lists, three years of financial statements, design approval decisions) and must make them available on 10 days written notice, with listed exceptions. Reasonable copying and supervision fees are allowed (1603-118). |
| Meetings, elections and voting | Annual owner meeting; notice 10 to 60 days ahead with an agenda; owners may attend executive board meetings subject to reasonable rules; executive session limited to five purposes with no final vote; default quorum 20 percent; proxies expire after 11 months (1603-108 to 1603-110). |
| Reserves | The association may adopt budgets that include reserves (1603-102). The Act text reviewed sets no mandatory reserve amount. See your documents. |
| Fines and enforcement | Reasonable fines only after notice and an opportunity to be heard; late charges allowed; an owner who fails to pay may lose privileges but not access to the unit or health and safety services (1603-102). |
| Rental restrictions | The Condominium Act does not set a rental cap in the sections reviewed. See your declaration and bylaws. |
| Architectural review | Governed by the declaration; the association must keep records of board decisions on owner design requests (1603-118). Solar devices have special protection under 33 M.R.S. 1423. |
| Board duties | The executive board generally acts for the association but cannot amend the declaration, terminate the condominium, or elect board members (1603-103). Incorporated associations also look to the Nonprofit Corporation Act. |
Assessments, liens and collections
The Maine lien is unusual in that it exists automatically. Under 33 M.R.S. 1603-116, the association has a lien for any assessment or fine from the time it becomes due, and the lien may be foreclosed in the same manner as a mortgage on real estate. Late charges, fines, interest and certain fees are enforceable as assessments unless the declaration says otherwise. If assessments are payable in installments, the full assessment becomes a lien when the first installment is due.
Priority is limited. The lien is ahead of most other liens but behind liens recorded before the declaration, a first mortgage recorded before or after the assessment became delinquent, and real estate taxes and governmental charges. A prevailing party recovers costs and reasonable attorney fees, and an association must give an owner, within 10 business days of a written request, a recordable statement of unpaid assessments that binds the association. Section 1603-115-A also allows an association to require a purchaser after October 1, 2009 to fund an escrow equal to 6 months of assessments, with interest, held beyond the reach of the association's creditors.
Meetings, voting and transparency
Maine's condominium rules are fairly modern on transparency, reflecting 2011 and 2015 amendments. Owners must receive notice of association meetings between 10 and 60 days in advance, and the notice must list agenda items including proposed amendments, budget changes and any proposal to remove a director or officer. Executive board meetings require timely notice reasonably calculated to inform owners, and owners may attend, though the board may close executive sessions for attorney consultation, litigation, personnel, contracts under negotiation, or privacy matters. No final vote may be taken in executive session.
On budgets, within 30 days of adopting a proposed budget the executive board must send owners a summary and set a ratification meeting between 10 and 30 days after mailing. The budget is ratified unless a majority of all owners, or any larger vote the declaration specifies, rejects it, whether or not a quorum is present (1603-103). Declarant control is limited to 7 years where development rights are reserved, or 5 years otherwise, and ends no later than 60 days after 75 percent of units are conveyed.
Recent changes
The Condominium Act has been amended in recent years, with notable 2011 changes on records, meetings and executive sessions and a 2015 change on budgets. The most important development is in 2026. According to a Maine Senate release dated August 14, 2026, a bipartisan commission created through LD 760 will study whether Maine should adopt the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act or otherwise modernize and consolidate its laws for condominiums, planned communities and similar associations. Nothing has been enacted as a result of that study that we could verify, so existing law continues to apply. See also our Maine HOA law changes 2021-2025.
Remote HOA management in Maine
Maine associations are often small, seasonal, or self-managed by volunteer boards, which makes remote management a natural fit. A remote manager provides a cloud dashboard for financials and documents, online dues collection with delinquency tracking, digital violation tracking, and board support by phone, email and video, so records are organized for the owner requests and meeting notices that Maine law expects. Learn more about remote HOA management in Maine and our pricing.
Rules on manager licensing and registration vary by state. We did not identify a Maine license specific to community association managers, but associations should confirm what applies in Maine with the state licensing authorities and counsel before engaging a manager.
Related reading
- HOA governing documents explained
- What is a condo association
- HOA reserve funds explained
- HOA board member responsibilities
- What is HOA management
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maine have an HOA law?
Maine has a Condominium Act, 33 M.R.S. 1601-101 et seq., but we found no comprehensive statute for subdivision HOAs. Those associations are governed by their recorded covenants, bylaws, and nonprofit corporation law if incorporated, plus targeted laws such as the solar rights statute.
Can a Maine condo association foreclose for unpaid assessments?
Yes. Under 33 M.R.S. 1603-116, the association's lien may be foreclosed like a mortgage, but it ranks behind a first mortgage and is extinguished unless enforcement begins within six years after the assessments become due.
How much notice must a Maine condo association give for meetings?
Owner meetings require notice no less than 10 and no more than 60 days in advance, stating the agenda (33 M.R.S. 1603-108). Executive board meetings require timely notice reasonably calculated to inform owners, and owners have a right to attend, subject to executive session limits.
Can a Maine HOA ban solar panels?
Generally not on property you own, for covenants and similar instruments created after September 30, 2009, though reasonable restrictions are allowed and condominium common elements can be excluded (33 M.R.S. 1423). Check your documents and consult counsel on your facts.
Can owners inspect association records in Maine?
For condominiums, yes. Section 1603-118 makes retained records available on 10 days written notice identifying the records, subject to exceptions such as attorney communications, personnel records and executive session records. Subdivision HOAs should check their bylaws and nonprofit law.
How APM Helps
Association Property Managers helps boards organize finances, collections, violation tracking and meetings, remotely or on site. See our association management services or request a free proposal; we respond within three business days. You can also call 810.777.7060.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and associations differ; consult a licensed attorney in Maine. Last verified October 25, 2026.
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