Ohio does not require reserve studies, but by default both condominium and HOA budgets must include reserves 'in an amount adequate to repair and replace major capital items in the normal course of operations without the necessity of special assessments' — R.C. 5311.081 for condominiums and R.C. 5312.06 for planned communities. The mandate is conditional because owners holding a majority of voting power may waive it in writing each year, and for condominiums it also does not apply where the declaration or bylaws limit the board's power to raise assessments without an owner vote.
Verified against the statute 2026-07-06
Condominium associations under R.C. Chapter 5311 and planned communities (subdivision HOAs) under the Ohio Planned Community Law, R.C. Chapter 5312 — Ohio is one of the few states whose default reserve-budgeting rule covers both housing types. There are no unit-count, height, or size thresholds.
No statutory reserve-study requirement or update cycle; 'adequate' is not defined, so each board determines the amount (a reserve study is the customary, but not mandated, method).
Budgets must include reserves adequate to fund major capital repair and replacement in the normal course of operations without special assessments. Owners exercising not less than a majority of the association's voting power may waive the requirement in writing annually — the waiver lapses each year unless renewed — and condominium associations are also excused where the declaration or bylaws limit the board's ability to increase assessments without an owner vote.
Ohio statutes impose no reserve-study or resale reserve disclosure. The owner-facing mechanism is the annually adopted budget itself and, where reserves are waived, the written annual waiver executed by a majority of the voting power; owners otherwise rely on general records-inspection rights under the two acts.
Condo budgets must include reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless (a) the declaration or bylaws restrict the board from increasing assessments without unit-owner approval, or (b) owners exercising at least a majority of voting power waive the reserve requirement in writing annually. Current version effective September 13, 2022 (S.B. 61, 134th G.A.).
Any planned-community (HOA) budget must include reserves adequate to repair and replace major capital items without special assessments, unless owners exercising at least a majority of the voting power waive the reserve requirement in writing annually. Current version effective September 13, 2022 (S.B. 61, 134th G.A.).
Independently re-verified July 2026 on the official Ohio Revised Code site (codes.ohio.gov, Legislative Service Commission): R.C. 5311.081 confirmed — budget 'shall include reserves in an amount adequate to repair and replace major capital items in the normal course of operations without the necessity of special assessments,' waiver by unit owners exercising not less than a majority of the voting power in writing annually, and the (A)(1)(a) exception where the declaration or bylaws limit the board's ability to increase assessments without a unit-owner vote; effective September 13, 2022 (S.B. 61, 134th G.A.). R.C. 5312.06 confirmed with the same adequate-reserves language and annual written majority waiver, same effective date and legislation. Informational only — not legal advice. Confirm with the primary source and a community-association attorney licensed in Ohio. Report an issue.
Track percent funded, model funding scenarios, and generate the board-ready report your disclosures need — $49/yr, self-serve.
Explore Reserve Planner