Federal and State Laws

Michele,
There is scarce information out there other that the State Statue of The Horizontal Property Act of SC. If could be lots better but the big flaw is there is no enforcement procedures other than to hire a lawyer which may turn out bad and costly.
I have posted on SC many times, you may want to use the search feature here.

One thing to understand going in is, unless this is a crimal problem, you will get nothing worth while from the state or county as far as enforcements. Check to see what local laws that may apply but on a whole, the Attorney Generals Office has conveyed to me by teleohone (Will not give a written opinion) that there platform is all pricate communites in SC are self governing. They will provide no legal advice to anyone about this. I have found over the years the better you know your documents and the statute the more change you can effect in your associations. Not many folks in certain parts of SC such as resort areas care or pay much attention to their documents, from the Boards down. It is all about renting property to make mortgage payments, and wait till the market goes up to sell. Probably true in a lot of places in the resort areas of the cuntry. CHange in absentee owners associations is a blood and guts effort. Patience helps more than brains and baby steps more than jumping into the fray. Absolutely essenstial is some support from the few that care enough.

Michelle,
You do not need any Federal laws reguarding HOAs because there are none that specifically address HOAs. You are required to follow Americans with Disabilities Act, Federal Discrimination, FCC and gosh, just about any issue that the Feds have created but you cannot send for a brochure or book to run your hOA. Your State has all of the guidelines that you will need. Robert or Gloria will know which ones they are.