District of Columbia Reserve Study Requirements (2026)

District of Columbia at a glance

Who must have a reserve study

We found no reserve study requirement in the D.C. Condominium Act (D.C. Code Title 42, Chapter 19). We did not find a separate D.C. statute for homeowners associations, and cooperative law was not reviewed. (see sources)

Site inspection

We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.

Structural inspections

We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.

Reserve funding

The unit owners' association may adopt a budget for revenues, expenditures and reserves (D.C. Code 42-1903.08). The declarant of a conversion condominium must make sure the budget includes reasonable reserves for future maintenance, repair or replacement of the common elements (D.C. Code 42-1904.08). We found no general minimum funding level. (see sources)

Disclosure

The public offering statement must state the amount in the projected budget as a reserve for repairs and replacement, or that there is none (D.C. Code 42-1904.04). On resale, the seller must give the buyer a statement of the status and amount of any reserves for capital expenditures, contingencies and improvements (D.C. Code 42-1904.11). (see sources)

Who may prepare the study

We found no statewide rule on this in the statutes listed under Sources.

What this means for boards

• With no statewide mandate confirmed here, check your governing documents and any lender requirements. They can require a study even where the statute does not.
• A current reserve study is still the usual way to show the board planned for major repairs with care.
• Keep the study, the board's funding decision and the reasons for it on record.
• Ask your association's attorney how the rules apply to your community.

What this means for reserve preparers

• Confirm which statute governs the association before you scope the work: condominium, planned community and cooperative acts often differ.
• Match the study level and site visit to what the statute requires.
• Cite the statute in the report so the board can see what the study satisfies.

How ReservePath handles District of Columbia

ReservePath supports full studies, updates with a site visit and updates without one, 30-year funding projections, and study renewal reminders based on the cycle you set for each study. It includes in-app compliance guidance for each state as a starting point. The preparer and the association's attorney remain responsible for confirming what the law requires.

Frequently asked questions

Does District of Columbia require a reserve study?

We found no reserve study requirement in the D.C. Condominium Act (D.C. Code Title 42, Chapter 19). We did not find a separate D.C. statute for homeowners associations, and cooperative law was not reviewed.

Does District of Columbia require reserves to be funded?

The unit owners' association may adopt a budget for revenues, expenditures and reserves (D.C. Code 42-1903.08). The declarant of a conversion condominium must make sure the budget includes reasonable reserves for future maintenance, repair or replacement of the common elements (D.C. Code 42-1904.08). We found no general minimum funding level.

What reserve information must be disclosed in District of Columbia?

The public offering statement must state the amount in the projected budget as a reserve for repairs and replacement, or that there is none (D.C. Code 42-1904.04). On resale, the seller must give the buyer a statement of the status and amount of any reserves for capital expenditures, contingencies and improvements (D.C. Code 42-1904.11).

Sources

• D.C. Code 42-1904.11
• D.C. Code 42-1904.04
• D.C. Code 42-1904.08
• D.C. Code 42-1903.08