HOA Management Guide · Updated June 2026
How to Fight a Castle Group HOA Fine
Castle Group is a Florida-based community-association management company founded in 1995 by James Donnelly and headquartered in Plantation, Florida. The firm specializes in managing condominium and homeowners associations across Florida, with a deliberate focus on the higher-end, full-service segment — including high-rise condominiums, master-planned communities, and luxury residential associations. Castle states it serves over 500 associations and is known for its trademarked Royal Service program. It operates exclusively within Florida, competing on service intensity and local market knowledge rather than geographic breadth.
What's different about Castle Group: Castle Group is a Florida-only specialist with a pronounced focus on condominiums and high-rise / luxury associations — distinct from national HOA managers — meaning fine and covenant disputes in Castle-managed buildings are almost always governed by Florida's condominium statute (Ch. 718) or HOA statute (Ch. 720) and the building's own declaration, rather than any nationwide policy.
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How Castle Group Handles Violations & Fines
Because Castle Group operates only in Florida, the fine and violation process for communities it manages is governed by Florida law and each association's recorded governing documents — not by the management company itself. For homeowners associations, Florida Statute 720.305 governs fines; for condominium associations, Florida Statute 718.303 applies. Under both, an association generally cannot impose a fine or suspension without first giving the owner at least 14 days' written notice and an opportunity for a hearing before an independent committee of at least three members who are not officers, directors, or employees of the association (or their relatives). The committee must approve the fine; a board cannot levy it unilaterally. Florida law also generally caps fines (commonly $100 per violation, with statutory aggregate limits) unless the governing documents authorize more, and a fine may not be imposed if the violation is cured as specified in the notice. A manager such as Castle typically administers the paperwork on the board's behalf.
Common Castle Group Fines
These are violation types HOA managers like Castle Group frequently issue fines for. Many can be contestable when proper procedure isn't followed — check the notice against your state's HOA statute.
Balcony / lanai storage
Typical: $50-250Often contestableRule must be in recorded declaration, not house rules alone
Unapproved window treatment
Typical: $100-500Often contestableFlorida requires uniform appearance rules to be in declaration
Pet weight / breed restriction
Typical: $50-300Often contestableESA / service animal protections override condo pet rules
Short-term rental violation
Typical: $100-1000/dayOften contestableMust be in recorded declaration with proper amendment process
Move-in / move-out fee
Typical: $100-500Often contestableFlorida caps certain transfer-related fees
Hurricane shutter installation
Typical: $100-500Often contestableFlorida statute protects shutter installation rights
How to Dispute a Castle Group Fine
Residents who receive a violation or fine notice for a Castle Group-managed community should first review the notice and their association's governing documents to confirm which authority is fining them. As a general educational matter under Florida law, an owner is typically entitled to written notice and a hearing before an independent committee before a fine becomes enforceable; attending that hearing and presenting evidence or a written response is usually the primary avenue to contest a fine. Owners commonly request the citation to the specific rule or covenant alleged to be violated, keep a dated written record of all correspondence, and confirm the notice and hearing requirements of Fla. Stat. 720.305 (HOA) or 718.303 (condo) were followed. This is general information, not legal advice.
Where Disputes Are Handled
- Contact the community's on-site Castle Group manager or the association board; Castle directs residents to its online Resident Center for general inquiries.
- Homeowner portal: Castle Group Resident Center
- Official site: castlegroup.com/resident-center
Procedural Defects That Can Void an HOA Fine
A fine may be challengeable when an association — or the manager acting on its behalf — skips a step the governing documents or state law require. Common examples:
- •Florida 14-day notice rule not followed (Fla. Stat. § 718.303 / § 720.305)
- •Fining committee not independent of the board
- •Fine exceeded $100/day and $1,000 aggregate cap (Chapter 720)
- •No written notice of hearing 14 days in advance
- •Hurricane / storm protection rights violated
What the Law Says About Your Fine
In Florida, community-association management firms and managers handling associations with more than 10 units or budgets over $100,000 must hold a Community Association Manager (CAM) license regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under Chapter 468, Part VIII. Condominium fines are governed by Fla. Stat. 718.303 and HOA fines by Fla. Stat. 720.305, both of which require notice and an independent-committee hearing before a fine is enforceable.
How to Expose the Defects in Your Notice
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Procedural defects can change the analysis
A missed notice deadline, a fine issued before a required hearing, or a charge imposed despite a required opportunity to cure may provide grounds to challenge the fine. Upload your notice to see whether any of those issues appear in yours.
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Castle Group Fine Disputes — FAQs
Does Castle Group decide whether I get fined?
Generally no. Castle Group manages communities on behalf of each association’s elected board. In Florida, fines arise from the association’s recorded governing documents and board/committee decisions; a management company typically administers the notices and recordkeeping rather than independently imposing penalties.
What notice am I entitled to before a fine in a Castle-managed Florida community?
As a general matter under Florida law (Fla. Stat. 720.305 for HOAs and 718.303 for condos), an association typically cannot impose a fine without at least 14 days’ written notice and an opportunity for a hearing before an independent committee. Your governing documents may add detail. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who hears my dispute if I want to contest a fine?
Florida law generally requires that fines be reviewed by an independent committee of at least three members who are not officers, directors, employees, or their relatives — not the board alone. Attending this hearing is commonly the primary way to contest a fine. Confirm the hearing details in your notice.
Is Castle Group required to be licensed in Florida?
Florida requires community-association management firms and managers handling associations above statutory size thresholds to hold a CAM license through the DBPR under Chapter 468, Part VIII. Residents can verify a manager’s or firm’s license status through the DBPR.
Where do I start if I disagree with a violation notice?
Generally, start by reading the notice and your governing documents, request the specific rule or covenant cited, keep dated written records, and confirm the statutory notice-and-hearing steps were followed. For significant disputes, consulting a Florida community-association attorney may be advisable. This is informational only.