What is the RBHA?
The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association aims to provide a clear voice for the homeowners and residents of the City of Rehoboth Beach on matters affecting the quality of life and spirit of the community. This is done by providing relevant information to the membership and gladly receiving inputs from all sources. Consider that the RBHA:
Be an active part of your community. Join the RBHA.
- Works to maintain open communications between City residents, homeowners, officials and employees
- Cultivates good relationships with all of our City officials many of whom a number are RBHA members and former board members
- Takes a proactive role in addressing issues that affect the health and welfare of our City's residents, property owners, visitors and businesses
- Represents more than 800 members which give significance to our positions
- Maintains a website which includes updates for the benefit of our members
- Sponsors an annual forum for residents to meet and interact with candidates who are running for local office
- Communicates on a regular basis with members through regular newsletters and email notifications regarding current City issues, meetings, events and happenings
- Holds regular Board meetings annually which are open to all members
- Hosts an annual breakfast for all City employees and an annual picnic for RBHA members
- Contributes all monies received, beyond necessary operating expenses, to local non-profits serving our community
- Is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit which means your membership dues and contributions are tax-deductible
Be an active part of your community. Join the RBHA.
RBHA History: 1971 to Present
The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association (RBHA), established in 1971, is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Membership and donations to RBHA are tax deductible in accordance with applicable IRS regulations. The RBHA’s stated purpose is:
“The RBHA is operated to promote the common good and general welfare of the homeowners and residents of the City of Rehoboth Beach for their mutual enjoyment and benefit, preservation of quality of life, fostering its spirit of community and to provide a forum for the full and free discussion of all matters of interest.”
RBHA History
In the early 1970s, the City of Rehoboth Beach was being pressured by developers for more high-rise construction. Concerned citizens joined to form a homeowners’ organization to oppose this type of development. RBHA’s influence helped in the passage of a revised building height ordinance which reduced permissible building heights in commercial zones from 85 feet to 42 feet.
Published in March 1972, the first newsletter noted that RBHA had been able to draw the attention of the community "to critical issues confronting Rehoboth Beach such as the dangers of increased high density and related aspects of traffic and parking congestion." A second newsletter that year spoke about other problems facing the community: building codes, zoning, water resources, beach erosion, ocean dumping and pollution.
Since that beginning, RBHA has been at the forefront of many challenges facing the city and its residents. It was the RBHA board that wrote the first report on establishing a tree ordinance and has maintained various committees over the years to study numerous issues, including the environment, preservation, revision and enforcement of city codes and partnering with other civic organizations to support common issues. The association regularly participated in the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan by seeking member input on key issues.
In 2005, RBHA embarked on the development of a strategic plan and unveiled it along with the launch of the organization’s first website. Noting the long-time goal to “preserve the character of Rehoboth Beach”, the board felt the character of Rehoboth Beach should be defined. It examined the opinions of residents – old and new – and looked at the architecture, history, trees, and other attributes. They found the unifying characteristic of Rehoboth Beach is the spirit of its people. The City and the RBHA attracts people who believe in community. Quality of life emerged as the category that generated the largest response from residents, with trees, parking, beautification, downtown traffic and noise named as leading issues.
RBHA Today
Communication is the hallmark of the organization. All RBHA board meetings are open to the public and Minutes are available on request. Many homeowners do not live in Rehoboth year-round and look to the RBHA for information and guidance. We have used a variety of tools to educate and inform members as well as the entire community. The website, newsletter, informational emails and annual meeting are the current means uses to keep the membership informed.
General Meetings, held twice each year, also provide an occasion for airing concerns about community issues, receiving input from members and citizens, and providing a platform for speakers from all areas of City, County and State government, civic organizations, and other persons of interest. The highlight of each year is the July meeting at which the RBHA hosts the annual "Meet the Candidates" forum. This is an opportunity for all members of the community to hear and question those seeking the positions of Mayor or City Commissioner. The organization frequently sponsors a variety of community activities including the annual City Employee Appreciation Breakfast and gives excess monies from dues and contributions to organizations that support the City and its residents.
Our community has changed dramatically in the nearly half century since the RBHA was founded, yet the goals of the organization remain quite constant. As homeowners, we enjoy living in a lively resort community which hosts thousands of visitors each year, yet we aim to maintain and protect the cherished traditional residential character that makes our one-square-mile city so unique.
“The RBHA is operated to promote the common good and general welfare of the homeowners and residents of the City of Rehoboth Beach for their mutual enjoyment and benefit, preservation of quality of life, fostering its spirit of community and to provide a forum for the full and free discussion of all matters of interest.”
RBHA History
In the early 1970s, the City of Rehoboth Beach was being pressured by developers for more high-rise construction. Concerned citizens joined to form a homeowners’ organization to oppose this type of development. RBHA’s influence helped in the passage of a revised building height ordinance which reduced permissible building heights in commercial zones from 85 feet to 42 feet.
Published in March 1972, the first newsletter noted that RBHA had been able to draw the attention of the community "to critical issues confronting Rehoboth Beach such as the dangers of increased high density and related aspects of traffic and parking congestion." A second newsletter that year spoke about other problems facing the community: building codes, zoning, water resources, beach erosion, ocean dumping and pollution.
Since that beginning, RBHA has been at the forefront of many challenges facing the city and its residents. It was the RBHA board that wrote the first report on establishing a tree ordinance and has maintained various committees over the years to study numerous issues, including the environment, preservation, revision and enforcement of city codes and partnering with other civic organizations to support common issues. The association regularly participated in the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan by seeking member input on key issues.
In 2005, RBHA embarked on the development of a strategic plan and unveiled it along with the launch of the organization’s first website. Noting the long-time goal to “preserve the character of Rehoboth Beach”, the board felt the character of Rehoboth Beach should be defined. It examined the opinions of residents – old and new – and looked at the architecture, history, trees, and other attributes. They found the unifying characteristic of Rehoboth Beach is the spirit of its people. The City and the RBHA attracts people who believe in community. Quality of life emerged as the category that generated the largest response from residents, with trees, parking, beautification, downtown traffic and noise named as leading issues.
RBHA Today
Communication is the hallmark of the organization. All RBHA board meetings are open to the public and Minutes are available on request. Many homeowners do not live in Rehoboth year-round and look to the RBHA for information and guidance. We have used a variety of tools to educate and inform members as well as the entire community. The website, newsletter, informational emails and annual meeting are the current means uses to keep the membership informed.
General Meetings, held twice each year, also provide an occasion for airing concerns about community issues, receiving input from members and citizens, and providing a platform for speakers from all areas of City, County and State government, civic organizations, and other persons of interest. The highlight of each year is the July meeting at which the RBHA hosts the annual "Meet the Candidates" forum. This is an opportunity for all members of the community to hear and question those seeking the positions of Mayor or City Commissioner. The organization frequently sponsors a variety of community activities including the annual City Employee Appreciation Breakfast and gives excess monies from dues and contributions to organizations that support the City and its residents.
Our community has changed dramatically in the nearly half century since the RBHA was founded, yet the goals of the organization remain quite constant. As homeowners, we enjoy living in a lively resort community which hosts thousands of visitors each year, yet we aim to maintain and protect the cherished traditional residential character that makes our one-square-mile city so unique.