By Dave Jensen, CEO, CoPS on Doody · Commercial Pet Waste Station Service · October 2026
An HOA newsletter residents actually read has the same five parts in every issue: what the board decided, what's coming up, one seasonal thing residents should do, something about the neighborhood, and a short pet corner, with contact details at the bottom. The format is the easy part. The hard part is finding twelve months of material that isn't another parking reminder.
This calendar gives you a theme for every month of 2027, with hooks specific to the DC metro and Atlanta, dates taken from the organizations that set them or calculated from their published rules, and a ready-to-paste article for each month. If you write newsletters for more than one community, it's built to be reused: keep the calendar, swap in the local details.
What goes in every HOA newsletter?
Good community newsletters don't reinvent the layout each month. They use the same skeleton every time, so residents know where to look for the part they care about.
Section
What goes in it
Length
From the board
Two or three decisions from the last meeting, in plain language, and the date of the next one
60 to 100 words
Coming up
Dates for meetings, work that affects residents, amenity openings or closings, trash schedule changes
A short list
This month's ask
One seasonal thing you need residents to do
80 to 120 words
Around the neighborhood
A neighbor, a volunteer, a new amenity, photos from an event (with permission)
80 to 150 words
Pet corner
A seasonal pet reminder or rule, stated kindly
50 to 100 words
Who to contact
Management contact, after-hours line, how to report a maintenance issue
Two or three lines
Lead with one main ask per issue. A newsletter that asks residents to do six things tends to get none of them done.
The HOA newsletter template
Copy this into your email tool or print layout.
Monthly newsletter template
[COMMUNITY NAME] NEWS
[Month year]
FROM THE BOARD
At its [date] meeting, the Board of Directors [decision 1, in one plain sentence]. The Board also [decision 2]. The next board meeting is [date, time, place or link], and owners are welcome to attend.
COMING UP
[Date]: [event or work, and what it means for residents]
[Date]: [event or work]
[Date]: [event or work]
THIS MONTH'S ASK: [HEADLINE]
[Paste this month's article from the calendar.]
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
[A short story, a thank-you to a volunteer, or event photos. Get permission before naming or showing anyone.]
PET CORNER
[Paste this month's pet reminder.]
NEED SOMETHING?
Management: [name], [phone], [email]
After-hours emergencies: [phone]
Report a maintenance issue: [link or email]
The 12-month calendar at a glance
Dates marked "rule" follow the organizer's published rule for setting the date. Confirm them each year before you print, because organizers can change them.
Month
Theme
Dates to plan around
DC metro
Atlanta
January
Winter walks and the year ahead
Board goals and the year's meeting schedule
Fairfax County leaf collection ends in January in leaf districts
Freeze prep for pipes and spigots
February
Know your budget
Assessment due dates
Late-winter thaw uncovers what the snow hid
Tree pollen season begins in late February
March
Spring start-up
Daylight saving time begins March 14 (rule); Great American Cleanup opens on the first day of spring
Spring dog-walking season
Tree pollen peaks late March into mid-April
April
Earth Day and cleanups
Earth Day, Thursday, April 22
Fairfax County: storm drains feed the Occoquan Reservoir and the Potomac
Gwinnett County: storm drains flow directly to local waterbodies
May
Pool season and National Pet Week
National Pet Week, May 2 to 8 (rule)
Pool opening and amenity rules
Pool opening and amenity rules
June
Be ready
National Pet Preparedness Month; hurricane season begins June 1
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week
Grass pollen peaks
July
Summer safety
Fourth of July fireworks and lost pets
County fireworks rules
Heat and hot pavement
August
Neighbors and budget season
National Night Out, August 3 (rule); National Dog Day, August 26
Budget drafting begins for calendar-year budgets
Budget drafting begins for calendar-year budgets
September
Preparedness and responsible ownership
National Preparedness Month; AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, September 17
Maryland: proposed budget to owners at least 30 days before adoption
Rivers Alive cleanups begin
October
Fire safety and fall maintenance
Fire Prevention Week, October 3 to 9 (rule)
Irrigation shutoff and winterizing
Rivers Alive cleanups continue
November
Budget adopted, clocks back
Daylight saving time ends November 7 (rule)
Montgomery County and Fairfax County leaf collection
Hurricane season ends November 30
December
The year in review
Holiday decoration rules and dates
Virginia: budget or summary to owners before the fiscal year
Winter weather contacts
Month-by-month ideas and ready-to-paste articles
Each month has a lead story idea, this month's ask, local hooks, a pet corner, and one article you can paste in as written. Each article's label tells you which slot of the template it fills; where the article is the ask, the pet corner row gives you a short paragraph to paste instead. The articles are addressed to residents and are free to use in your community's newsletter.
January: winter walks and the year ahead
Lead story
The board's goals for the year and the meeting schedule for 2027
This month's ask
Who clears which walks after snow or ice, and where to report a slick spot
DC metro
Fairfax County's vacuum leaf collection runs November through January in fee-paying leaf districts. Remind residents in those districts to keep piles clear of storm drains.
Atlanta
A short note on protecting outdoor spigots and exposed pipes before a hard freeze
Pet corner
Deicers and cold paws
Ready-to-paste pet corner: Winter walks, safer paws
Ice melt keeps sidewalks safe, but it isn't kind to paws. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends wiping off a dog's paws, legs, and belly after winter walks, since some deicers can irritate skin or cause harm if a pet licks them off. Keep a towel by the door, and if you use ice melt on your own steps, look for a product labeled pet-safe. And a winter reminder: snow doesn't make pet waste disappear. It just hides it until the thaw. Please keep picking up, even when it's cold.
February: know your budget
Lead story
What this year's budget pays for, in plain terms, and when assessments are due
Also this month
Submit architectural requests for spring projects now, before the busy season
DC metro
The late-winter thaw uncovers everything the snow covered. A pickup reminder lands well this month.
Atlanta
Tree pollen season starts in late February. Share the community's pressure-washing and window-cleaning schedule if you have one.
Pet corner (paste)
The thaw is uncovering what the snow covered. Please keep picking up after your pet every time, even in the cold, and let us know at [contact] if a station is empty.
Ready-to-paste ask: Your assessment, explained
Your assessment pays for the things that keep [Community Name] running: [list three or four real budget lines, e.g., landscaping, common-area insurance, pool operations, and reserves for future repairs]. This year's budget was adopted by the Board on [date], and the full budget is available at [link or office]. Assessments are due on [day] of each [month/quarter], and you can pay by [methods]. If you have questions about the budget or your account, [manager name] is happy to walk you through it at [contact].
March: spring start-up
Lead story
The spring maintenance schedule: when irrigation starts, when mulch goes down, when the pool prep begins
This month's ask
Daylight saving time begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2027. It's a good weekend to test smoke alarms.
DC metro and Atlanta
Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup season opens on the first day of spring. A good month to announce a community cleanup date.
Tree pollen typically peaks from late March into mid-April. If you pressure wash common areas, schedule it after the peak.
Pet corner
Spring dog-walking season is here
Ready-to-paste pet corner: Spring is dog-walking season
Longer days mean more walks, and more walks mean more pickups. Thank you to everyone who picks up after their pet. It shows. A few reminders as the weather warms: keep dogs on a leash in common areas, use the pet waste stations at [locations], and let us know at [contact] if a station is empty or damaged. We would much rather hear about it from you than find out after it's been empty for days.
April: Earth Day and cleanups
Lead story
Your community cleanup day: date, meeting spot, and what to bring
This month's ask
Earth Day is Thursday, April 22, 2027. Remind residents that nothing but rain belongs in a storm drain.
DC metro
Fairfax County's soil and water district reminds residents that rain washes pet waste into storm drains that feed the Occoquan Reservoir and the Potomac, the area's drinking water.
Atlanta
Gwinnett County's stormwater program notes that storm drains flow directly to local waterbodies, which is why pet waste should never go down one.
Ready-to-paste ask and pet corner: Where the storm drain goes
Rain that runs into the storm drains in our streets carries whatever it picks up along the way toward local streams and, eventually, [the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay / the Chattahoochee / your local river]. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Pet waste contributes nitrogen, phosphorus, parasites and bacteria to water bodies when it is not disposed of properly." Picking up pet waste, bagging it, and putting the bag in a station or trash can keeps it out of the water. This Earth Day, that's the easiest environmental win we have.
May: pool season and National Pet Week
Lead story
Pool opening day, pass registration, and the pool rules that changed this year
This month's ask
Register pets with the management office if your community requires it, and update vaccination records
DC metro and Atlanta
National Pet Week falls during the first full week of May, which in 2027 is May 2 to 8. The American Veterinary Medical Association and its Auxiliary have sponsored it since 1981.
Neighborhood feature
A "pets of [Community Name]" photo feature, with owners' permission
Pet corner
Pet rules around the pool and clubhouse
Ready-to-paste pet corner: Happy National Pet Week
May 2 through 8 is National Pet Week, and [Community Name] has a lot of pets to celebrate. Send a photo of yours to [email] by [date] for next month's "Pets of [Community Name]" feature. While you're at it, a few housekeeping items: [pets aren't allowed inside the pool gate], please keep dogs leashed in common areas, and if the community requires pet registration, [manager name] can update your file at [contact].
June: be ready
Lead story
Summer projects and what residents will see around the community
This month's ask
Sign up for community emergency alerts at [channel], and update the office's emergency contact on file
DC metro
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week falls in June each year; the 2026 observance ran June 6 to 14. Check the Chesapeake Bay Program for 2027 dates.
Atlanta
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Grass pollen peaks in June.
Pet corner
June is National Pet Preparedness Month, according to Ready.gov
Ready-to-paste pet corner: Is your pet part of your emergency plan?
June is National Pet Preparedness Month, a good reminder that emergency plans should include the animals we live with. A simple pet kit covers a few days of food and water, any medications, copies of vaccination records, a leash and carrier, and a recent photo of your pet in case you're separated. Make sure ID tags and microchip information are current. If there's ever a building or community emergency, [manager name] will share updates at [channel].
July: summer safety
Lead story
Summer rules residents ask about most: grills, fireworks, quiet hours, and guests at the pool
This month's ask
Follow county rules on fireworks, which differ from place to place. Check with your county before the holiday.
DC metro and Atlanta
The American Veterinary Medical Association says more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than at any other time of year.
Heat
Walk dogs in the early morning or evening, and keep them on grass rather than hot pavement.
Pet corner
Fireworks and lost pets
Ready-to-paste pet corner: A quiet corner for the Fourth
Fireworks are fun for people and frightening for a lot of pets. Veterinarians say more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than at any other time of year. If you have a dog or cat, keep them inside during the fireworks, give them a quiet room, and double-check that ID tags and microchip details are up to date before the holiday. If you find a lost pet in the community, please contact [manager name] at [contact] so we can help get them home.
August: neighbors and budget season
Lead story
The budget process: when the draft goes to the board, how owners can weigh in, and when it will be adopted. Our post on a pet waste program budget that passes the board is useful background for the board.
Community
National Night Out falls on the first Tuesday of August, which in 2027 is August 3. It's a natural date for a block party or a meet-the-board evening.
Neighborhood feature
National Dog Day is August 26. A dog photo feature or a meet-up at the dog park works well.
Also this month
Back-to-school traffic and bus stops
Pet corner (paste)
August 26 is National Dog Day. Send a photo of your dog to [email] by [date] for a "Dogs of [Community Name]" feature in next month's issue.
Ready-to-paste ask: Budget season has started
Every year around this time, the Board begins building next year's budget. The draft will be reviewed at the [date] board meeting, and owners are welcome to attend and comment. If there's something you'd like the Board to consider, whether it's a repair, an amenity, or a service you think could work better, send it to [manager name] at [contact] by [date]. The earlier the Board hears it, the more room there is to plan for it.
September: preparedness and responsible ownership
Lead story
The proposed budget (in Maryland, this issue can deliver it)
This month's ask
September is National Preparedness Month, run by FEMA's Ready campaign
DC metro
Maryland HOAs responsible for common areas must send the proposed budget to owners at least 30 days before adopting it, and the statute allows it to go out in the association's newsletter.
Atlanta
Georgia's Rivers Alive program holds volunteer waterway cleanups every fall. Look for an event near your community.
Ready-to-paste pet corner: Being a good neighbor with a dog
Most of us chose [Community Name] partly because it's a nice place to walk. Keeping it that way comes down to a few habits: leash in common areas, pick up every time, and keep barking to a minimum, especially early and late. Pet waste stations are at [locations] and are serviced [frequency]. If a station is empty, full, or damaged, tell us at [contact]. Thank you to the many dog owners who already do all of this. Your neighbors notice.
October: fire safety and fall maintenance
Lead story
Annual meeting notice, board election details, and how to run for the board
Also this month
Fire Prevention Week runs the week of October 9, which in 2027 is October 3 to 9. The National Fire Protection Association's 2026 campaign focused on safe charging of lithium-ion batteries.
DC metro
Irrigation shutoff and fall landscaping schedule
Atlanta
Rivers Alive cleanups continue through the fall
Pet corner (paste)
Halloween candy and wrappers belong out of reach of pets. If doorbells and costumes upset your dog, a quiet room for the evening helps.
Ready-to-paste ask: Fall around the community
Here's what's happening outside this fall. [Landscaper] will [aerate and overseed / plant seasonal color] the week of [date]. The irrigation system will be shut off and winterized on [date]. Leaf cleanup in common areas begins [date]. Please keep cars off the grass on those days so the crews can work.
November: budget adopted, clocks back
Lead story
The adopted budget and what changes for owners next year
Also this month
Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 7, 2027. Darker evenings mean walking paths and parking lots need working lights; ask residents to report outages.
DC metro
Montgomery County's leaf vacuum program runs from early November to early December inside the leaf district. Fairfax County's leaf season begins in November in leaf districts. Maryland HOAs must send the adopted budget to owners within 30 days of the meeting where it was adopted.
Atlanta
Hurricane season ends November 30. Share the winter storm contact plan.
Pet corner (paste)
With darker evenings, a reflective leash or a clip-on light makes dog walks safer for everyone. Please report any path or parking lot light that's out to [contact].
Ready-to-paste ask: The new budget, in brief
On [date], the Board adopted the [year] budget. The monthly assessment will be [$ amount], [unchanged / a change of $__ from this year], beginning [date]. The main changes are [one or two plain-language items]. The full budget is available at [link or office]. [Maryland: A copy of the adopted budget is being sent to every owner within 30 days of the meeting, as the law requires.] Questions? [Manager name] is available at [contact].
December: the year in review
Lead story
What the community accomplished this year: projects finished, money saved, problems solved
This month's ask
Holiday decoration rules and the date decorations should come down
DC metro
In Virginia, the board must make the annual budget, or a summary of it, available to owners before the fiscal year begins. If your fiscal year starts in January, this is the issue.
Atlanta
Winter weather contacts and what happens if a storm closes roads
Pet corner (paste)
Holiday guests mean open doors. Keep ID tags on your pets, and give them a quiet room during parties so nobody slips out.
Ready-to-paste lead story: Thank you for a good year
This year, [Community Name] [three real accomplishments, e.g., repaved the Maple Court parking lot, replaced the playground surfacing, and kept assessments flat]. None of it happens without the volunteers who serve on the Board and committees, and without residents who report problems, follow the rules, and look out for each other. The Board wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. The first board meeting of the new year is [date].
What to leave out of an HOA newsletter
Names or addresses connected to violations, fines, or delinquencies
Legal disputes, pending litigation, or anything counsel hasn't cleared
Residents' personal information, or photos of residents or children without permission
Opinions presented as board positions before the board has voted
Anything that reads like a public scolding. If a reminder names a problem, point at the fix, not at a household.
When a problem does need to be addressed with one owner, that's what a letter is for. Our HOA violation letter templates walk through that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should an HOA send a newsletter?
Monthly works well for larger communities with frequent news, and quarterly works for smaller ones. Consistency matters more than frequency. A quarterly newsletter that arrives on schedule builds more trust than a monthly one that shows up whenever someone finds time.
Can the newsletter replace official notices?
Only when your governing documents and your state's law allow it. Maryland, for example, expressly allows an HOA to deliver the proposed annual budget in its newsletter. For meeting notices, violation letters, and anything else with a legal deadline, follow the delivery method your documents and statute require.
Should an HOA newsletter be emailed or printed?
Many communities do both: email for residents who've opted in, and a printed copy posted at the clubhouse or mailboxes for everyone else. Check your documents before relying on email alone for anything official.
Can we include vendor ads or sponsored content in the newsletter?
Check with your board and your documents first. If the board allows it, label paid content clearly so residents don't read it as a board endorsement.
Who should write the HOA newsletter?
The community manager usually assembles it, and a board member or communications committee reviews it. A resident volunteer can own the neighborhood feature. That's often the section people read first.
Bottom Line
A good HOA newsletter runs on a habit with a fixed shape: board news, dates, one ask, a neighborhood story, and a pet corner. The calendar above fills in the hard part, which is knowing what to write about in March or September, and the ready-to-paste articles cover the months when you don't have time to write from scratch.
Plan the year in one sitting, adjust the local hooks for each community you manage, and confirm observance dates before each issue goes out.
Dave Jensen is a commercial pet waste management leader with over 17 years of experience and CEO of CoPS on Doody. He built multi-million dollar sales programs, created the first CAI- and CAMICB-approved continuing education course on pet waste management, and has trained thousands of community association professionals nationwide.
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