Legal Structures

Most cohousing communities in the U.S. are structured as condominiums or planned unit developments (PUDs). In the “lot development model,” residents jointly own the common property and facilities, and are the sole owners of the lot on which they build their single-family detached house. Sometimes residents in attached townhomes own just the land directly under their homes (the footprint), or perhaps the footprint plus a small back or front “private” yard.

Neighbors at Temescal Creek Cohousing in Oakland, CA, celebrate their new common house. (Photo by Andrea Kissack)

Some people who wish to live in cohousing neighborhoods find creative ways to transform existing blocks of homes into what is commonly called “retrofit cohousing.”

Most forming and developing cohousing groups do not screen new members. Potential members learn about the community and the expectations for participation and decide for themselves whether or not the community will meet their needs.

To help potential member households make an informed decision, groups usually require attendance at an orientation, several regular business meetings, and perhaps some involvement with a committee before they can apply for membership. Specific arrangements for joining vary across communities.