Quorum

A quorum is the minimum attendance threshold required for a meeting to be legally valid and for votes taken at that meeting to be binding. For board meetings, quorum is typically a majority of the board (e.g., 3 of 5 directors). For membership meetings, quorum is usually a percentage of all owners — commonly 10–30% for routine business and sometimes higher for votes on major changes like CC&R amendments. If quorum is not achieved, no binding votes can be taken. The meeting must be adjourned and re-noticed. Quorum requirements protect against a small minority making decisions on behalf of the whole community when most members are absent.

Low community engagement often leads to quorum failures at annual meetings, which can delay elections, block required votes, and create governance limbo. Many HOAs lower quorum thresholds over time by amending their bylaws.