We are now holding in-person Neighborhood Association meetings as hybrid meetings that are also broadcast on Zoom for those that still wish to attend virtually. Zoom availability needs to be scheduled through the Neighborhood Program Coordinator at marilee.mccall@clark.wa.gov or 564.397.2316.  

Clark County Neighborhood Outreach Program

Clark County recognizes the value of neighborhood associations and working with residents to build community. Clark County has offered various services to neighborhoods since 1991 and established the Neighborhood Outreach Program in August 1996 to serve those living in unincorporated Clark County.

The Neighborhood Outreach program does not keep records on Home Owners Associations and cannot offer advice or legal assistance regarding HOAs or CC&Rs. If you need a copy of your CC&Rs, contact your HOA board or property management company, or you can contact the County Auditor's Recording division at 564.397.2208 or email your request to recording@clark.wa.gov.

Benefits of forming an association

Neighbors nationwide have come together to shape the areas in which they live. By forming Neighborhood Associations, citizens work in partnership with their local governments to maintain or enhance the livability of their communities.

Neighborhood Associations usually form when a single issue unites people in a geographic area. Concerns range from crime to traffic to development issues. From there, most groups evolve and focus on the long-range overall health of the neighborhood.

It is fun, easy and rewarding to participate in your local neighborhood association. Contact your neighborhood association president to find out how you can get involved. You can look up your neighborhood on our directory page to get more information about your specific neighborhood. You are automatically a member of the neighborhood association by residing or doing business within the boundaries of the neighborhood, and participation is completely voluntary. There are no dues or other fees to be a member, although the associations may hold fundraisers or ask for donations to pay for operating expenses.

If you don't already have a neighborhood association in your area, you might want to form one. Talk with a few of your neighbors to see if they would like to help. Clark County's Neighborhood Program Coordinator can guide you through the process.

What Neighborhood Associations ARE:

Neighborhood Associations include all of the developments, HOAs and unaffiliated properties within their defined geographic boundaries. Neighborhood residents organize as an association to work in partnership with their local government employees and officials, as well as local service organizations, to maintain or enhance the livability of their communities.

Neighborhood Associations work together to build bridges to a better Clark County and address issues of concern to the residents. Activities include:

• Scheduling regular community meetings to gather residents and share information.

• Reviewing weekly updates to county development projects in the neighborhood.

• Discussing concerns and possible solutions to road and traffic issues.

• Assisting county department contacts with outreach on new projects, including park and road improvements.

• Organizing park and graffiti clean ups.

• Partnering with assigned Sheriff Liaisons to distribute community safety information and assist in outreach for volunteers for the Sheriff's Auxiliary.

• Working with CRESA to distribute information on emergency preparedness and CERT programs.

• Serving as an additional contact point with the school district(s), rotary, grange, and other service organizations to distribute community information.

• Building community with picnics, food drives, garage sales, and other neighborhood events.

What Neighborhood Associations are NOT:

Neighborhood Associations are recognized by the county or city government within whose boundaries they are located, but are not divisions of or affiliated with county or municipal governments. The county's Neighborhood Outreach Program was established and is funded to provide communications and assistance with concerns and issues that are within the county's jurisdiction. Neighborhood Associations that are recognized by and receiving services from the county are prohibited by state law from engaging in any political or lobbying activity because they are receiving taxpayer funding. 

Clark County Neighborhood Outreach Program Benefits: 

Assistance with organizing* and building your neighborhood association, including print and postage for three neighborhood association mailings per year, within your boundaries.

Online and e-mail updates, including items such as:

• Meeting notifications of the Board of County Councilors, Planning Commission and any advisory board or commission whose decisions might affect the neighborhood.
• County activities, projects or news events.
• Special events throughout the county.
• Opportunities for involvement in county projects and processes.

Neighborhood Association web page on the county web site: The county will host an informational web page on their site with information about your neighborhood association. This will include neighborhood history, sheriff liaison contacts, newsletters, leadership contact information, links to parks in your neighborhood, your local fire department/district information, and bylaws for your neighborhood association.

Posting of neighborhood association identification signs.* Four neighborhood signs are made and installed around the association boundary.

A Clark County Sheriff's Office deputy* will be appointed as your neighborhood liaison. His or her mission is to provide assistance and answer questions. The deputy also can "keep an ear to the ground" regarding issues that might affect you or help coordinate partnership projects with your organization and the county.

Low-cost mediation services from Community Mediation Services. Trained members will help resolve neighborhood conflicts such as barking dogs, harassment, vandalism and noise complaints.

Guest speakers for your neighborhood association meetings. The Neighborhood Program Coordinator can assist you with contacting county staff to give presentations on topics of interest.

Sheriff Auxiliary, Crime Watch, Sheriff's Auxiliary and other programs offered by the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

* Services exclusive to county neighborhood associations.

Please note that Clark County neighborhood associations are not agents of Clark County government.

Neighborhood Associations must meet the following standards to receive services from the county's Neighborhood Outreach Program:

• Define, with assistance from the county, boundaries of the association.
• Adopt bylaws for the organization that meet administrative guidelines for the Neighborhood Outreach Program and follow the county's template standards. One copy will be kept on file with the county.
• Operate within the parameters of the program and abide by local ordinances and state laws.
• Maintain a current roster of board members and keep one copy on file with the county.
• Hold at least one meeting per year.

To look up your address and find out if your home is located within an active neighborhood association, go to www.clark.wa.gov/county-manager/neighborhood-association-directory 

Home Owners Associations (HOAs) are different than Neighborhood Associations. If you have questions about your HOA, please contact your HOA board or management company. If you need copies of your CC&Rs, you can contact the Auditor's office or your local title company to obtain those records. CC&Rs are a civil legal document that is private and separate from county management and/or enforcement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Marilee McCall, Clark County Neighborhood Program Coordinator
marilee.mccall@clark.wa.gov
564.397.2316

 

Home Owners Associations (HOA's)

Clark County supports active neighborhood associations registered with the county within the guidelines listed above. Neighborhood associations are formed by residents within defined boundaries. They can include both homeowners and renters, but participation is voluntary. A neighborhood association is not regulatory and does not charge fees for membership or voting privileges.

Home Owners Associations (HOAs) are different and separate from Neighborhood Associations.
HOAs are set up by the developer of a subdivision to provide maintenance of common grounds, amenities and, sometimes, a storm water/drainage facility. When people buy a home within a HOA, they understand they are subject to association fees and codes, covenants and restrictions (also referred to as CC&Rs) and membership is not optional. The CC&R document is a civil contract that is attached to the deed of trust of the property. CC&R dues, maintenance and enforcement are all matters that should be handled by the HOA board or their property management company. If issues are in dispute, residents should contact a mediator or land use attorney. If you need a copy of your CC&Rs , contact your HOA, the County Auditor records, or a local title company.