How to Form a Neighborhood Association

Start with a Core Group

Start your neighborhood association by finding a core group of people who agree to meet regularly. Ask some neighbors you already know. Then knock on the doors of some you don’t know and explain why you want to form a neighborhood association. When you find five to 10 people who are interested, schedule a meeting at a resident’s home, a nearby school, neighborhood church or other central location. It’s a good idea to set up the initial meeting quickly before people lose interest.

Each member of the neighborhood association should:
  • Try to attend every meeting.
  • Use agreed-upon procedures at meetings.
  • Treat other members with respect.
  • Accept group decisions after a vote has been taken.
  • Act for the benefit of the group.
  • Be polite and make constructive comments.
  • Discuss issues and concerns, not personalities.
Set the Neighborhood Boundaries

It’s important to determine the boundaries of your neighborhood association. Boundaries might be roads, natural features such as canals, residences within a certain distance of a school or church or houses built in a certain style. You might want to look at a city map and take a tour of the neighborhood to help you set the boundaries. Call the Neighborhood & Community Engagement Division to see if your boundaries include any existing neighborhood associations. Your neighborhood may want to merge groups or work as partners on common problems.

Once you have established the boundaries, develop a list of residents and property owners. This will help you get other neighbors involved in your association and its activities. You may need to go door-to-door to create this list. You can find this information by calling the city’s Planning and Development Department at 562-4567.

Legal & Administrative Setup

Setting your neighborhood association up with the right administrative and legal tools helps ensure long-term success, transparency and access to additional resources such as grants and donations.

Register Your Group

While it is not legally required to register your neighborhood association to operate, becoming a formal entity can be helpful for fundraising, opening a bank account and partnering with the city.

Steps to Formalize

Step 1.Choose a Name

Pick a name that reflects your neighborhood identity.

Step 2.Register with Sunbiz

Visit sunbiz.org to register as a nonprofit corporation in Florida. This provides basic legal recognition.

Step 3.Apply for a Tax ID (EIN)

Request an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS at irs.gov/ein (even if you don’t plan to have employees.)

Step 4.Open a Bank Account

Neighborhood associations typically need a group bank account to deposit donations or dues, pay for flyers, meeting supplies or event expenses, track and report finances. You will need the EIN number from the IRS, signed meeting minutes showing board members and officers and a copy of your Sunbiz registration form. Designate two signers on the account and keep a record of all transactions for transparency.

Step 5.Create Bylaws or Operating Guidelines

Bylaws are the rules your association agrees to follow. They do not have to be complicated.

Examples of things that are included in bylaws are:

  • Officer roles and terms
  • How meetings are scheduled
  • How decisions are made (e.g., voting procedures)
  • Membership eligibility
  • Conflict resolution process
  • Bylaws can be customized to meet your neighborhood’s needs. Ask the city’s Neighborhoods Division for samples of other neighborhood’s bylaws as a reference.

Step 6.Create a Group Neighborhood Email

Establish a group email for all board members to access. Start a cloud-based folder to keep documents like meeting minutes, financial records, bylaws and contact lists. Staying organized makes transitions easier when new leaders step in and demonstrates professionalism when working with the city or outside partners.

Step 7.Register with the city of Clearwater

Register as a Neighborhood Association at MyClearwater.com/NeighborhoodRegistration.

Register your Group

Register your neighborhood association with the city of Clearwater. 

Access the Form

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