Civic and Homeowners Associations

Important Official Information for Montgomery County Residents

In Montgomery County, Maryland, more than 1,200 active civic and homeowners associations provide a vital information link from government agencies to residents. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission manages and updates this crucial database and the Geographic Information System (GIS) map layer to which it is linked. This key information is used by the Planning Board, Board of Appeals, Department of Public Works and Transportation, Montgomery County Public Schools, State Highway Administration and others to provide official notice to and involve residents in important projects or proposals that could change or improve their neighborhoods, transportation network or environmental quality. For information or updates call (301) 495-4603.

Civic/Citizens Associations
Civic or citizens associations are voluntary groups, usually based on a residential subdivision's boundaries or other small geographic area within the County. No property owner is required to pay dues to a civic association, although many do choose to pay annual dues to their community association. To form a new civic association, to check on an association in your neighborhood or to update contact information, please call (301) 495-4603, and we'll help get you started. Since this is a voluntary listing, we rely on associations to provide accurate and timely updates that allow proper notification of important land use proposals. Our notices can only be as good as the information associations give us.

Homeowners Associations
Unlike civic associations, Homeowners Associations must register with the County's Office of Common Ownership Communities, (240) 777-3636, pay annual fees and provide information on management companies, officers, etc. Homeowners Associations (including most condominium associations) require mandatory, usually monthly fees, that all property owners must pay to support the maintenance of common areas, such as swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, conservation areas, parking lots, hiking trails, etc. During the Planning Board's approval process, developers of residential communities may be required to set up a Homeowners Association, select a management company and provide for continuity after the development is sold to individual owners.

Umbrella Groups
Montgomery County also has a number of "umbrella" groups, such as Allied Civic Group, West Montgomery Citizens Association, Montgomery Civic Federation, and others that include within their boundaries a number of small, local civic associations that may choose to participate with these larger umbrella groups. Umbrella Groups are often interested in larger issues such as the regional transportation network, large countywide facilities including regional parks, etc.

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