Does Your HOA Clean Your Windows? Who’s Responsible
Does your HOA clean your windows? Sometimes. It depends on your CC&Rs. In many condo and townhome communities, owners clean their own inside glass and the HOA handles outside glass owners can’t safely reach. In most single-family HOAs, the owner handles all of it.
This guide is for homeowners trying to figure out which windows are theirs. If you’re on a board or manage a community, see HOA window cleaning for boards and managers instead.
Who Usually Handles What
Every HOA is different, but these are the patterns you’ll see most often.
| Window job | Condo or townhome HOA | Single-family HOA |
|---|---|---|
| Inside glass | Usually the owner | The owner |
| Outside glass on the ground floor | Owner or HOA, depending on the CC&Rs | The owner |
| Upper-floor or hard-to-reach glass | Often the HOA | The owner |
| Screens, locks and tracks | Usually the owner | The owner |
| Repairing or replacing a window | Check the CC&Rs | The owner |
These are common patterns, not rules. Some associations clean every window on the outside. Others leave all window cleaning, inside and out, to owners.
What California Law Says
California HOAs follow the Davis-Stirling Act. Two parts of it matter for windows, and both start with the same words: unless the CC&Rs say otherwise.
- Civil Code section 4145. Windows and screens that serve only your unit but sit outside its boundaries are “exclusive use common area.” They’re part of the common area, set aside for you.
- Civil Code section 4775. The owner maintains exclusive use common area, and the association repairs and replaces it. If windows are part of your unit itself, you maintain, repair and replace them.
The law doesn’t define “maintain,” and that’s where most window arguments start. Cleaning is usually treated as upkeep, but your CC&Rs have the final word. This is general information, not legal advice. For a real dispute, ask your manager or an HOA attorney.
How to Find Your HOA’s Window Rule
- Get your CC&Rs. They came with your closing papers, and many HOAs post them on a resident portal.
- Search the document for window, glass, exclusive use and maintenance.
- Look for a maintenance chart. Many associations publish a responsibility matrix that lists who handles what.
- Check the rules and architectural guidelines. Appearance rules and window replacement rules often live there, not in the CC&Rs.
- Ask your manager in writing if it’s still unclear, and keep the reply.
When the HOA Hires the Window Cleaner
Associations often take on glass owners can’t reach safely: upper floors of condo buildings, stairwell windows and shared glass. Clubhouse, lobby and pool area glass is common area, so that’s the HOA’s job too. Many boards also clean every building on one schedule so the community looks the same.
If your HOA cleans the outside glass, it usually covers only what the association is responsible for. Your inside glass, screens and tracks are still yours. Ask your manager when the next community cleaning is, so you can plan your part around it.
Got a Notice About Your Windows?
Some CC&Rs ask owners to keep the outside of the home in good condition, and dirty or damaged windows can be part of that. A notice isn’t a fine. California law gives owners some protection:
Before the HOA can fine you
- You get a chance to fix the problem before a hearing (Civil Code section 5855)
- The board must hold a hearing and send you the result in writing
- Since June 30, 2025, most HOA fines are capped at \$100 per violation, unless the board finds a health or safety risk (Civil Code section 5850)
Read what the notice actually asks for, fix it, take dated photos and reply in writing.
San Clemente HOA Homes
A lot of San Clemente is HOA country, including Talega, Forster Ranch, Rancho San Clemente and Marblehead, plus condo and townhome communities across town. Each one has its own CC&Rs, so neighbors in different communities can have very different window rules.
Where you live changes what the glass needs. Near the coast, salt film builds up on outside glass and can make windows look dirty sooner. Inland, sprinkler spots on lower windows are the usual problem, and on HOA greenbelts the sprinklers often aren’t yours to adjust.
What to Do This Week
- Find your CC&Rs and any maintenance chart
- Write down which glass is yours: inside, outside, upper floors, screens
- Ask your manager if the HOA cleans any outside glass, and when
- Plan your part around the community schedule, or set up recurring window cleaning
HOA Window Responsibility FAQs
Know which windows are yours? Call (949) 203-0880. Tell us your community and which glass you need cleaned.
