Homeowners’ associations exist to keep communities throughout Arizona looking pristine and maintain property value within a neighborhood. However, the board members within an HOA are elected volunteers, and sometimes this power can be abused if left in the wrong hands. Knowing how to remove or recall an HOA board member in Arizona in 2026 is key to protecting your rights as a homeowner, as well as protecting your community.
How HOAs Are Structured in Arizona
Homeowners’ associations are designed to hold homeowners accountable for the maintenance of their property and community. Active HOAs are important because their covenants add value to well-maintained neighborhoods. Members of an HOA board are elected volunteers who are responsible for collecting monthly dues from the community’s homeowners and maintaining common areas and landscaping, as well as repairing amenities.
An HOA board is also charged with enforcing HOA covenants, conditions, and restrictions, usually by using fines or restricting use of community areas, such as the pool, for noncompliance or nonpayment of dues.
As more people make the move to Arizona, cities across the state continue to develop new housing and neighborhoods to accommodate them. In 2025, the towns in Arizona with some of the most population growth included Apache Junction, Buckeye, Casa Grande, and Maricopa. In 2025, Arizona had a homeowner rate of 69.7%.
That same year, 65.1% of all listings throughout Arizona had a homeowners’ association. In 2023, the average homeowners’ association fee for Arizona homeowners was $448 per month. Arizona had the second-highest HOA fees in the country that year. Because of the common nature of HOAs in Arizona, understanding how they operate is key for any current or future homeowner within the state.
Homeowners’ associations in Arizona must follow state laws to stay compliant. However, many homeowners throughout the state find themselves in situations where board members act inappropriately. In these cases, there are legal options HOA members can take to remove board members with ill intentions under HOA Law and address matters involving HOA Foreclosure Rights.
Grounds for Removing an HOA Board Member in Arizona
In situations where an HOA board member is breaking the rules or acting against the interests of the community, an HOA attorney is a great resource for finding ways to remove such a board member from their position. An elected board member can be removed by the homeowners in the community if the homeowners take the proper steps to remove them.
When taking steps to remove a board member in your HOA, keep in mind the tips and implications listed below:
- Review your HOA rules. The rules likely outline the grounds for removing a board member and the process for doing so.
- Start a petition among your community’s homeowners to hold a special meeting to discuss the removal of the board member. The number of members that must sign the petition to result in a successful removal depends on the size of the association in question.
- Hold a meeting to vote for the board member’s removal. Once the petition is filed with the HOA, they must hold a special meeting within 30 days. Under A.R.S. § 33-1813, if all requirements for calling the special meeting were met and the board still does not call, notice, and hold it within the specified time frame, all board members are deemed removed at midnight on the 31st day.
- A board member within an HOA in Arizona can be removed with or without reason. As long as a majority of the members voting at the meeting vote for removal and a quorum is present, the board member can be removed. However, a board member appointed by the developer of the community cannot be removed through this process.
Arizona law establishes specific requirements that homeowners must satisfy for a board removal vote to proceed. Under A.R.S. § 33-1813, petition signatures are counted among people who are eligible to vote in the association at the time each person signs.
For associations with 1,000 or fewer members, the petition must include signatures representing 25% of the association’s votes or 100 votes, whichever amount is less. For associations with more than 1,000 members, the petition must have signatures equal to 10% of the votes or 1,000 votes, whichever amount is less.
The special meeting must also have a quorum before homeowners can vote on removal. The quorum is 20% of the association’s votes or 1,000 votes, whichever is less. If a quorum is present, members can remove a director by majority vote, with or without cause. This removal process does not apply to a director appointed by the developer.
What Happens If Your Board Ignores the Petition
Arizona law provides significant consequences when an HOA board ignores a valid petition for a special meeting. Under A.R.S. § 33-1813, if all requirements for calling the meeting have been met, the board must call, provide notice of, and hold the meeting within 30 days after receiving the petition. If they fail to do so, every board member is removed at midnight on the 31st day, and not just the director who is named in the petition.
This rule does not apply when the petition itself is defective. One reason that the document may not be valid is when there are not enough signatures or when ineligible voters participated. Automatic removal also does not apply when the board properly holds the special meeting but homeowners fail to obtain enough votes for removal.
The rule does not automatically install replacement directors, either; replacements must be selected based on the rules set forth in the HOA’s own documents. Condominium owners have a similar removal rule under A.R.S. § 33-1243.
What Should I Do if the HOA Board Member Refuses to Leave After Being Removed?
If an HOA board member refuses to leave after being removed, start by documenting the removal process. Keep copies of the petition, proof of when the association received it, meeting notices, and other important records. Documenting the date of receipt is critical because the 30-day deadline under A.R.S. § 33-1813 begins when the association receives the petition.
To qualify for the exemption, a person must be at least 18 years old, married or single, and reside in Arizona. The exemption applies to the home the person actually lives in as a primary residence. It does not extend to every property someone owns in the state. Rental homes or investment properties generally would not qualify. Other property-related legal issues may involve Easement Law, Buyer/Seller Contract Disputes, or a Neighbor Dispute.
Hire an HOA Lawyer to Explain Your Legal Rights and Options
When dealing with the complex rules surrounding homeowners’ associations, having an experienced HOA lawyer on your side can change everything. At Harper Hall PLC, our goal is to provide empathetic and professional services to businesses and homeowners throughout Arizona.
We understand Arizona HOA laws and value making Arizona’s legal process as accessible as possible for our clients, offering straightforward and honest legal advice at every stage of your HOA case.
Before collecting signatures for a removal petition, it is crucial to determine how many eligible votes exist within the association. Arizona’s petition thresholds are based on votes, not simply the number of households. An incorrect count could affect whether the petition is valid. Homeowners should also preserve copies of the CC&Rs, bylaws, election rules, and other governing documents that may establish additional procedures for removing a board member.
At Harper Hall PLC, we can review the association’s voting structure and governing documents before homeowners move forward with a removal effort. We can also identify potential problems with a petition and explain your legal options. Decisive action can hold HOA board members accountable for not following established rules and laws. If you need to hire an HOA lawyer, look no further than our experienced team.
FAQs
What Are Some Reasons to Remove an HOA Board Member in Arizona?
In Arizona, there are many reasons you may want to petition to remove a board member from your HOA. These reasons can range from committing fraudulent acts, mishandling the HOA’s funds, acting discriminatorily towards a specific homeowner, or just failing to fulfill their duties in the association.
When an HOA is in charge of governing a community, board members should take their responsibilities seriously. If they don’t, you can work with an attorney to start the removal process.
What Should I Do if the HOA Board Member Refuses to Leave After Being Removed?
If the HOA board member refuses to leave after being removed, seek legal counsel. Serving on the board of an HOA is a serious role, and board members who have been removed cannot just ignore the outcome of the vote. If they do, they may be facing legal repercussions. Speak to a local HOA attorney to learn more about your HOA’s specific circumstances.
What Happens After an HOA Board Member Is Removed?
Once an HOA board member is removed from the association, their vacancy can be filled according to the HOA’s rules. However, if a majority of the homeowners’ association has been removed, or if the association rules don’t specify how vacancies should be filled, an election must be held within 30 days to replace the removed members.
Should I Hire an HOA Attorney to Help Remove a Board Member?
Yes, you should hire an HOA attorney to help remove a board member. An HOA lawyer who is knowledgeable about Arizona HOA laws can provide invaluable legal advice to assist your community in the legal removal of a board member. HOA rules can be complex, along with Arizona state laws. Your lawyer can help you understand your rights as a homeowner in the state and the legal options available to you.
Dedicated Legal Advocacy in Arizona HOA Law
With almost three decades of experience working with clients across Arizona, the legal advocates at Harper Hall PLC are the obvious choice when it comes to HOA disputes. Reach out to our office in Gilbert to schedule a confidential case evaluation with one of our skilled attorneys. As an Arizona homeowner, you have rights. The proper legal resources can help you protect those rights and maintain the integrity of your HOA board.
