Master Planned Communities
"Master Planned Communities" are large real estate projects that may include homes, commercial, retail, and community facilities. The California Department of Real Estate defines them as developments consisting of 500 or more separate residential interests managed by a community association. (Cal. Code Regs. § 2792.32(a)) A master association often serves as an umbrella over multiple sub-associations. It is responsible for managing and maintaining common area amenities, such as clubhouses, swimming pools, and parks. Typically, it would also take care of landscaping and security.
Subassociations
Within master associations are usually found smaller subassociations with their own governing documents and architectural styles. Members pay two sets of membership dues, one set to the master association and one to the sub-association. Subassociations can be set up as standalone associations with their own CC&Rs and maintain the structures and amenities within their own developments. There could be areas within an association that receive and pay for special benefits. They may be called:
- Association Maintenance Areas (AMA)
- Community Benefit Districts (EMAD)
- Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Districts (EMAD)
- Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMD)
- Lighting and Landscape Maintenance Districts (LLMD)
- Maintenance Assessment Districts (MAD)
- Special Benefits Areas (SBA)
Delegates to the Master Association
As provided for in Corporations Code § 7152, large master community documents will often allow for "delegates." Delegates are neighborhood representatives who vote on behalf of the members they represent.
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