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Bill

HB 2655

An Act amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in creation, alteration and termination of condominiums, further providing for amendment of declaration; in creation, alteration and termination of cooperatives, further providing for amendment of declaration; and, in creation, alteration and termination of planned communities, further providing for amendment of declaration.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Ciresi and 3 co-sponsors

HB 2655 harmonizes and modernizes how declarations for condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities are amended, standardizing who may initiate changes, approval thresholds,

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2655

Bill overview

HB 2655 (Session 2025-2026, Pennsylvania) proposes amendments to Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The changes pertain to the creation, alteration, and termination of three forms of common-interest communities: condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities. The bill focuses on updating and expanding provisions related to the amendment of declarations within these jurisdictions. Co-sponsors include Jeff Olsommer, Tarah Probst, Jack Rader, and Joe Ciresi.

Purpose and intent

  • Modernize and clarify the process by which a declaration (the governing document for a common-interest community) can be amended.
  • Align amendment procedures across condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities to ensure consistent rules and timelines.
  • Provide owners and declarants with formalized mechanisms to modify governing documents as needs evolve (e.g., governance, use restrictions, assessments, or other community rules).

Key provisions and changes (provisions are organized by subject area)

  • Amendment of declaration (condominiums, cooperatives, planned communities):

    • Establishes or clarifies the procedural requirements to amend declarations for each form of common-interest community.
    • Specifies who has authority to initiate amendments (e.g., declarant, unit owners, or both), and what thresholds or voting rules apply.
    • Addresses notice, record-keeping, and implementation timelines for amendments.
    • May define the required percentage of affirmative votes or other conditions needed to approve amendments, including any special voting rules for reserved matters or fundamental changes to the community.

  • Interplay with existing governing documents:

    • Specifies how amendments to declarations interact with bylaws, rules and regulations, and other governance documents.
    • May provide guidance on conflicts between amended declarations and existing provisions, including procedures to reconcile or amend related documents.

  • Recordation and notice requirements:

    • Likely sets or clarifies requirements for recording amended declarations with the county recorder of deeds.
    • May require notice to all unit or parcel owners of proposed amendments, including timelines and methods of delivery.

  • Timing and transitional provisions:

    • Could include effective dates for new amendment rules and any transitional provisions for communities existing prior to enactment.
    • May address nonconforming or grandfathered provisions during the transition.

Note: The bill text would provide exact details on thresholds (e.g., supermajority or unanimous consent), who may initiate amendments, and specific procedural steps. The summary above captures the typical scope of amendments to declaration provisions across common-interest communities.

Who would be affected

  • Owners in condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities governed by declarations within Pennsylvania.
  • Declarants and developers who established or continue to manage these communities.
  • Community associations, boards, and managing agents responsible for administering amendments and ensuring compliance with recording and notice requirements.
  • Local recording offices (county deed offices) responsible for recording amended declarations.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill would outline:
    • How amendments are proposed, approved, and enacted.
    • Required notices, voting thresholds, and amendment effectiveness.
    • Recordation procedures and potential deadlines for filing amendments with appropriate governmental offices.
  • Transitional rules may specify how existing communities can adopt amended declarations under the new framework and any deadlines to comply.

Potential implications and impact

  • Greater consistency in how amendments are handled across different types of common-interest communities.
  • Enhanced clarity for owners and boards on amendment processes, potentially reducing disputes.
  • Possible changes in voting rights or thresholds that could affect the ease or difficulty of making significant changes to declarations.
  • Requirements around recording and notice may increase administrative duties for associations.

Summary

HB 2655 aims to harmonize and modernize the process for amending declarations in Pennsylvania’s common-interest communities (condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities) within Title 68. By detailing who may initiate amendments, how approvals are obtained, and how amendments are recorded and implemented, the bill seeks to provide clear, uniform rules that govern the modification of governing documents while balancing protections for unit owners and declarants.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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