Does the board need an owner vote?
Maryland law sets no owner vote for special assessments; your declaration and bylaws decide. The board can raise assessments to meet required reserve funding even above a bylaw cap.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11-109.4Maryland special assessments: what your board must do.
Required reserve studies and funding plans.
Why Maryland owners are getting these bills
Every condo association must have a reserve study, update it every five years, and fund reserves to it, with deadlines that ran by county from 2021 to 2023. The board can raise assessments to meet the required reserve funding even past caps in the bylaws.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11-109.4Condos
What notice must owners get?
There is no special notice rule for special assessments; owner meetings need 10 to 90 days' notice. Ask for the notice and minutes of the meeting that approved it.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11-109Your right to see the records
You can examine the books and records. For a written request for financial statements or minutes, the association must respond within 21 days for records under three years old, or 45 days for older ones.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11-116Payment plans, late fees and liens
Interest is capped at 18% a year. A late charge, if the bylaws allow, is the greater of $15 or 10%, once per late payment and only after 15 days. Before a lien, you must get written notice and the right to a court hearing.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11-110; 14-203HOAs (houses and townhouses)
Owner vote
Maryland's HOA law sets no owner vote for special assessments; check your declaration.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11B-117Notice
No statutory notice rule for special assessments was found; follow your bylaws.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11B-117Records
You can examine the books and records. Written requests for financial statements or minutes must be answered within 21 days, or 45 days for records over three years old.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11B-112Payment, late fees and liens
Before a lien you must get written notice and the right to a hearing under the Maryland Contract Lien Act. Foreclosure is limited to the assessments, interest and limited costs.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 11B-117; 14-203Summarised from the statutes in November 2026. Not legal advice; your declaration and bylaws may add more rules.