Reston Association’s board approved a 2027 budget on October 22, 2026 that sets the annual assessment at $900 per property, up $10, or about 1%, from $890. Staff say more than $550,000 in operational savings kept the increase small, and the board also adopted a 2027 to 2036 capital plan with a $4.48 million budget for 2027.
Quick Summary
- New rate: $900 per property, up $10 (about 1%) from $890, per FFXnow.
- The prior two increases were larger: $817 to $848, then $848 to $890, about 5%.
- Savings of more than $550,000 included eliminating the chief operating officer position and moving to a mostly digital activities guide.
- The 2027 capital budget is $4.48 million, including an Uplands Pool splash pad and a Lake Newport tennis court renovation.
- RA’s headquarters lease runs through July 2030, and no decision has been made on renewing, downsizing or moving.
In this post: What the board voted on | How the rate has moved | Where the savings came from | What the capital plan puts on the map | What this means for Reston homeowners and buyers | Sources and reporting limits | FAQ
What the board voted on
The Reston Association Board of Directors adopted the budget at its October 22 meeting, earlier than the usual late-November vote. It had approved the new 10-year capital improvement plan on October 8.
Board President Travis Johnson said the budget “demonstrates the value of disciplined planning and a continued focus on efficiency,” and that it limits the increase to 1%, well below inflation. CEO Peter Lusk called the capital plan “a good news plan for the Association.”
$900: the 2027 Reston Association assessment per property, up $10 from $890.
How the rate has moved
The 1% step is easier to appreciate next to the last few years, based on FFXnow reporting from each budget vote:
- 2025: $848, up from $817.
- 2026: $890, about a 5% increase, adopted on a 7 to 2 vote with reduced pool hours to hold the number down.
- 2027: $900, about 1%.
From $817 to $900 is an $83 increase, a little over 10% across three budgets, with most of it in the first two steps. RA’s five-year forecast, reported in October, projects $954 for 2028, though the chief financial officer said that does not include investment earnings or further efficiencies.
Where the savings came from
Staff identified more than $550,000 in operational savings and efficiencies. The biggest pieces were eliminating the chief operating officer position, moving to a primarily digital activities guide to cut printing and postage, and trimming technology and seasonal staffing costs.
Some spending went up. The budget adds money for contracted tree maintenance, cybersecurity, a mobile version of the RecTrac registration system, and a study of sediment in RA’s four artificial lakes.
What the capital plan puts on the map
- A new splash pad at Uplands Pool in 2027.
- A Lake Newport tennis court renovation in 2027, converting the courts to tennis only.
- The end of a three-year trail improvement project focused on markers and signage.
- Culvert replacement at $75,000 a year through 2028, rising to $100,000 a year in 2029.
- New furniture for all RA pools by 2030.
- Lake Anne lighting replacement, newly added for 2031.
A motion to move the Lake Newport gazebo replacement up to 2027 failed, so it stays in 2028. The plan also holds a 2029 placeholder for RA office improvements while the board decides what to do when its headquarters lease ends in July 2030.
$4.48 million: the 2027 capital budget, slightly below the $4.5 million projected in last year’s plan.
What this means for Reston homeowners and buyers
The assessment is its own line item, separate from your mortgage, property taxes and insurance. A $10 change will not move a monthly budget much. What matters more is knowing the number and what it buys: access to RA pools, lakes, trails, tennis courts and events like Winterfest.
Many Reston homes also sit inside a cluster or condominium association with its own dues, so the RA figure is rarely the whole picture for one address. Buyers receive association documents during the contract period, which is the place to confirm current assessments and any special charges. Our guide to Reston Association fees and rules explains how the layers fit together, the Reston pools guide covers the biggest amenity, and the Reston home value tool gives sellers a starting estimate.
Sources and reporting limits
- FFXnow, “Reston Association approves new budget, capital projects plan,” Angela Woolsey, October 26, 2026
- FFXnow, “Reston Association assessments could reach $900 under proposed 2027 budget,” Angela Woolsey, October 13, 2026
- Reston Association, budget adoption announcement, October 2026
- FFXnow, “Reston Association adopts budget with higher assessment, reduced pool hours”, November 25, 2025
Figures are as reported through October 26, 2026. The reports do not give the billing date for the new rate or a total operating budget. Points about cluster and condo fees and purchase documents are general guidance. Check reston.org for official budget documents.
FAQ
How much is the Reston Association assessment for 2027?
$900 per property, up $10, or about 1%, from the 2026 rate of $890.
Why was the 2027 increase so small?
Staff identified more than $550,000 in savings, including eliminating the chief operating officer position and moving to a mostly digital activities guide.
Is the Reston Association assessment the only HOA fee in Reston?
Not always. Many homes also belong to a cluster or condominium association with separate dues. Check the documents for the specific property.
What does the 2027 capital plan include?
A $4.48 million budget with an Uplands Pool splash pad, a Lake Newport tennis court renovation, trail signage work and culvert replacements, among other projects.
Want to know what it really costs to own in a particular Reston neighborhood? Reach out to Nikki Lagouros, Realtor, anytime.