Virginia § 55.1-1940 - Bylaws to be recorded with declaration; contents; unit owners' association; executive board; amendment of bylaws

Full text of Virginia Code of Virginia § 55.1-1940 — Bylaws to be recorded with declaration; contents; unit owners' association; executive board; amendment of bylaws, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 55.1-1940. Bylaws to be recorded with declaration; contents; unit owners' association; executive board; amendment of bylaws

A. Bylaws providing for governance of the condominium by an association of all of the unit owners shall be recorded simultaneously with the declaration. The unit owners' association may be incorporated.

B. The bylaws shall provide whether or not the unit owners' association shall elect an executive board. If there is to be such a board, the bylaws shall specify the powers and responsibilities of the board and the number and terms of its members. Except to the extent the condominium instruments provide otherwise, any vacancy occurring in the executive board shall be filled by a vote of a majority of the remaining members of the executive board at a meeting of the executive board, even though the members of the executive board present at such meeting may constitute less than a quorum because a quorum is impossible to obtain. Each person so elected shall serve until the next annual meeting of the unit owners' association at which time a successor shall be elected by a vote of the unit owners. The bylaws may delegate to such board, inter alia, any of the powers and responsibilities assigned by this chapter to the unit owners' association. The bylaws shall also specify which, if any, of its powers and responsibilities the unit owners' association or its executive board may delegate to a managing agent.

C. The bylaws may provide for arbitration of disputes or other means of alternative dispute resolution in accordance with subsection C of § 55.1-1915.

D. In any case where an amendment to the declaration is required by subsection B, C, or D of § 55.1-1918, the person required to execute such amendment shall also prepare and execute, and record simultaneously with such amendment, an amendment to the bylaws. The amendment to the bylaws shall allocate votes in the unit owners' association to new units on the same basis as was used for the allocation of such votes to the units depicted on plats and plans recorded pursuant to subsections A and B of § 55.1-1920 or shall abolish the votes appertaining to former units, as appropriate. The amendment to the bylaws shall also reallocate rights to future common surpluses, and liabilities for future common expenses not specially assessed, in proportion to relative voting strengths as reflected by the amendment.

1974, c. 416, § 55-79.73; 1978, c. 332; 1993, c. 667; 1998, c. 32; 2012, c. 758; 2019, c. 712; 2020, c. 592.

Source: official Virginia text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia § 55.1-1940

What does Code of Virginia § 55.1-1940 cover?

Section 55.1-1940 ("Bylaws to be recorded with declaration; contents; unit owners' association; executive board; amendment of bylaws") is part of the Code of Virginia, the codified statutory law of Virginia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Virginia § 55.1-1940?

A common citation format is "Code of Virginia § 55.1-1940" (Virginia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Virginia law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Virginia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Virginia attorney.

How does Virginia § 55.1-1940 apply to my situation?

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Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Virginia.