What s. 710.18 covers
Since 2021 Wisconsin Act 199, section 710.18 has regulated associations that manage or enforce covenants for a residential planned community. Condominium associations are expressly left out. The section deals with:
- recording the covenants with the register of deeds, and posting them on the association's website if it has one;
- filing and renewing a notice with the Department of Financial Institutions, without which the association cannot charge late fees or fines on unpaid assessments;
- at least 48 hours' notice of association meetings, unless the covenants say otherwise;
- written notice before suspending an owner's rights for unpaid assessments;
- payoff statements within 10 business days of a request.
It says nothing about budgets, reserves or reserve studies.
So where do the rules come from?
From your own documents. Many covenants and bylaws require a reserve for common area replacement, or at least allow the board to assess for one. Wisconsin HOAs are often incorporated as nonstock corporations under chapter 181, which sets duties for directors without mentioning reserves. If your documents are silent, the board still has to pay for the entrance monument, the retention pond and the private road eventually; the only question is whether owners pay a little each year or a lot at once.
If you are not sure what your covenants require, check with the association's attorney.
What an HOA study usually covers
Fewer buildings than a condominium, more ground. Typical components:
- private streets, cul-de-sacs and parking, with their curbs and storm inlets;
- stormwater ponds, outlet structures and shoreline;
- entrance signs, fencing, lighting and mailbox clusters;
- a pool, clubhouse, playground or trail network;
- tennis or pickleball courts, which in a Wisconsin winter crack on schedule.
Because there is less to inspect, an HOA study often costs toward the lower end of the ranges on our cost page, unless the community owns a clubhouse or miles of road.
Sources: Wis. Stat. 710.18 and chapter 181, Wisconsin State Legislature.