# Sec. 13-316. Definitions

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 13-316. Definitions

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 13-316 (2026)

As used in this Division:

(a) Association Document means:

  (1) The master deeds, declaration, incorporation documents, bylaws, and rules of any common ownership community;

  (2) Any written private agreement between any parties concerning the operation of the community or maintenance or control of common or limited common property; and

  (3) Any similar document concerning the operation or governance of a common ownership community.

(b) Common area includes:

  (1) in a homeowners association, any real estate which is owned or leased by a homeowners association.

(c) Common element includes:

  (1) in a condominium, all portions of the condominium except the units.

(d) Cooperative project includes:

  (1) in a cooperative all the real and personal property in the State of Maryland owned or leased by the cooperative housing corporation for the primary purpose of residential use.

(e) Common Ownership Community means:

  (1) A condominium, as defined pursuant to state law;

  (2) A cooperative housing corporation, as defined pursuant to state law; or

  (3) A homeowners association, as defined pursuant to state law.

(f) Community Association means the legal entity, incorporated or unincorporated, that is responsible for the governance or common property of a common ownership community.

(g) Director means the Director of the Office of Community Relations.

(h) Dispute means any disagreement between two (2) or more parties that involves:

  (1) The authority of a governing body, under any law or association document, to:

    (A) Require any person to take any action, or not to take any action, involving a unit or common element;

    (B) Require any person to pay a fine related to a violation of the governing documents;

    (C) Spend association funds; or

    (D) Alter or add to a common element; or

  (2) The failure of a governing body, when required by law or an association document, to: (A) Properly conduct an election;

    (B) Give adequate notice of a meeting or other action;(C)Properly conduct a meeting;

    (D) Properly adopt a budget or rules;

    (E) Maintain or audit books and records;

    (F) Allow inspection of books and records;

    (G) Maintain or repair a common element if the failure results in significant personal injury or property damage; or

    (H) Exercise its judgment in good faith concerning the enforcement of the association documents against any person that is subject to those documents.

(i) Dispute does not include any disagreement that only involves:

  (1) Title to any unit or any common areas and/or common element;

  (2) The percentage interest or vote allocable to a unit;

  (3) The interpretation or enforcement of any warranty;

  (4) The collection of an assessment validly levied against a party; or

  (5) The exercise of a governing body's judgment or discretion in taking or deciding not to take any legally authorized action.

(j) Governing body of a community association means the council of unit owners, board of directors, or any other body authorized by an association document to adopt binding rules or regulations.

(k) Notice means a hearing examiner or the Director has provided the parties with the date, place and nature of the hearing; the right of a party to be represented, at the party's own expense, by an attorney or, if permitted by law, another representative; the right of a party to seek discovery; the right of a party to call witnesses and submit documents or other evidence; and, that failure to appear for the scheduled hearing may result in an adverse action against the party.

(l) Office means the Office of Community Relations.

(m) Owner includes:

  (1) A unit owner in a condominium;

  (2) A lot owner in a homeowners association; and

  (3) A member of a cooperative housing corporation.

(n) Party includes:

  (1) An Owner;

  (2) A Governing body; and

  (3) An occupant of a dwelling unit in a common ownership community.

(o) Unit or Lot includes:

  (1) Any physical portion of a common ownership community with distinct property boundaries that:

    (A) Provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more individuals;

    (B) Contains permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation; and

    (C) Is designated for exclusive ownership, control, or occupancy by those individuals; and

  (2) All legally enforceable rights and interests incidental to individual ownership of real property in a common ownership community.