Rules restricting how many consecutive terms a board member may serve.
Term limits are provisions in the bylaws (or sometimes the CC&Rs) that cap the number of consecutive terms a board member can serve before they must step down and allow other candidates to run. A common example is a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms. After reaching the limit, a board member is typically ineligible to stand for re-election until at least one term has elapsed. Term limits are intended to prevent entrenched governance, encourage fresh perspectives, and rotate community involvement. However, in communities where few owners are willing to serve, term limits can create dangerous board shortages.
Term limits can break up long-entrenched boards that have stopped listening to community needs, but they can also remove experienced leaders at critical moments. Whether to include term limits is a community-specific decision best addressed in a bylaw review.
Board Election
The process by which homeowners vote to select members of the HOA board of directors.
Board Member
An elected or appointed homeowner serving on the HOA board of directors.
Vacancy
An unfilled seat on the board of directors due to resignation, removal, death, or failure to elect.
Bylaws
The document governing the HOA's internal operations — meetings, elections, officer duties, and board procedures.
LotWize handles term limits tracking automatically — along with violations, ARC requests, meeting minutes, and homeowner communications, all in one platform built for self-managed HOAs.
Start 14-Day Free TrialThis page provides general information only — not legal or financial advice. HOA laws vary by state and community. Always consult your governing documents and an HOA attorney for guidance specific to your situation.