Communities stay connected. Municipalities provide various tools and services.
The following is a list we’ve compiled for your convenience:

What is a SID vs an HOA

An SID (Sanitary Improvement District) and an HOA (Homeowners Association) are both entities that involve community management, but they serve different purposes and function in different ways. Here’s a breakdown of each:

Sanitary Improvement District (SID)

An SID is a government-designated area where property owners are assessed a special fee or tax to fund specific improvements or public services that benefit that district. This could include things like road paving, lighting, parks, or infrastructure upgrades.

• Purpose: To fund specific public improvements that benefit properties within the district.
• Funding: The SID imposes fees or taxes on property owners within the district, often for a specific time period until the improvement or project is paid off.
• Authority: SIDs are typically created and managed by local government entities (such as a city or county).
  Examples of Improvements Funded by SIDs: Street paving, landscaping, utility infrastructure, and public safety.

Homeowners Association (HOA)

An HOA is a private organization formed by homeowners within a specific community or development to manage common areas and enforce community rules and regulations (called covenants, conditions, and restrictions, or CC&Rs). HOAs are typically found in residential communities or neighborhoods.

• Purpose: To manage and maintain common areas, enforce community rules, and promote property values.
• Funding: HOAs are funded by dues or fees paid by homeowners in the community. These fees cover the maintenance of shared amenities like parks, clubhouses, pools, or landscaping.
• Authority: HOAs have authority over residents within the community to enforce rules and ensure a certain quality of life, as defined by the community’s CC&Rs. This is a private entity, not a government body.
• Examples of Responsibilities: Maintenance of common areas, enforcing regulations, organizing community events.

Key Differences:

• SID: Focuses on public infrastructure and improvements, typically imposed by local government.
• HOA: Focuses on private community management, including common area maintenance, enforcing rules, and enhancing the living experience for homeowners.

In some cases, a community might be both part of an SID (for certain public infrastructure improvements) and have an HOA (to manage the neighborhood and its private amenities). The key difference is that the SID is generally related to government-imposed fees for public benefits, while the HOA is a private organization with more localized, community-driven responsibilities.