How much does it cost to look up HOA rules?
Published October 19, 2026. Updated October 19, 2026.
It ranges from nothing to a few hundred dollars, depending on where you look. The county recorder charges per page for copies of the recorded documents. An association may charge for a resale certificate or a document package. Setback shows three rules per parcel for free, and the full report with every rule costs $29 a month on the Base plan or $59 a month on the Pro plan.
What a declaration usually says
A declaration says nothing about lookup costs. It may set a fee for a resale certificate or a transfer, which the association collects at sale.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the county recorder's office for its copy fee. Most Washington counties charge per page, and a declaration with amendments can run 50 pages or more.
- Ask the association what a resale certificate costs. Washington caps the fee the association may charge.
- Decide whether you need the full report or the preview. For one house the preview may be enough to spot a problem.
Where the law comes in
Chapter 64.90 RCW sets what a resale certificate must contain and limits the fee an association may charge for it. County copy fees are set by each county under state law.
This is general information, not legal advice.