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1. How do I know if my subdivision has an association?

View the GIS subdivision map.

GIS Subdivision Map

2. How do I request a speaker for my next association meeting?

Please contact Neighborhood Planning at 972-412-6165 or via email. They will make arrangements with the appropriate city staff.

3. How can I increase participation at my HOA or NA meeting?

Consider holding your association meeting and your neighborhood Crime Watch meeting simultaneously. Your members will be glad they have only to attend one meeting, and your participation will increase.

4. How do I start an association?

The process for initiating an HOA does not have to be intimidating, but some organized steps should be used.

• Step One - Determine the need for the association. To do so, host an informal meeting with your neighbors to see if there is a real interest in or need for the association. While it is optimum for 100% of area residents to attend the initial meeting, it is not imperative that they be present at that time. This first meeting could be among just a few or all of your neighbors.


• Step Two - Check with the Dallas County or Rockwall County Clerk’s Office (depending on your address) to see if the developer has filed a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for your subdivision. Reach the Dallas County Clerk’s Office at 214-653-7275, or at 509 Main Street, Second Floor, Dallas, Texas. Reach the Rockwall County Clerk’s Office at 972-204-6500, or 1101 Ridge Road, Rockwall, Texas.


• Step Three - Create bylaws and articles of incorporation to bring for consideration by all your members. Bylaws establish the procedures for the operation of the association. They create rules for voting, financing and control procedures. The articles of incorporation actually create a corporation if the association chooses to become incorporated.


• Step Four - Once the articles of incorporation are complete, send two copies and the $25 filing fee to:
  Secretary of State
  Corporations Section
  P.O. Box 13697
  Austin, TX 78711

  Their phone number is 512-463-5555.

5. How does my association get a tax exempt number?

Neighborhood Associations with gross receipts of $5,000 or less per year are not required to file Form 1023. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of I.R.S. Section 501(c)(3).

File Your Neighborhood Association's Articles of Incorporation with the State

• Obtain an Employer Identification Number


• File Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms 1023 and 8718 with appropriate fees


• Receive Tax-Exempt Status from the IRS (average turnaround time from the time all necessary documents are filed is 100 days)


• File for State Sales Tax Exemption


• Make IRS suggested corrections


• File for State Franchise Tax Exemption


• Re-file

Important Facts About Tax-Exempt Status
Your Neighborhood Association may obtain tax exempt status if it is incorporated by the State as a non-profit corporation and organized solely for charitable purposes. This includes organizations dedicated to:

• Correct community deterioration


• Combat juvenile delinquency


• Lessen neighborhood tensions

In order to keep your Association tax-exempt status, you must ensure that:

• All assets are permanently dedicated to an exempt purpose. This means that, even upon dissolution of the group, all assets of the group must be used or donated


• No part of the net earnings may be used for the benefit of, or be distributed to, the members or officers


• No portion of the corporation’s assets or funds may be used to influence legislation, promote propaganda or benefit specific political candidates