Answers to Real Estate FAQs:
1. How does a homeowner access the recreational facilities? Access to the recreational facilities is granted to Deeded Real Estate Property Owners who are up to date on their Annual Property Assessment and meet the qualifications for RCSC Membership. Guidelines for Membership are outlined in RCSC Board Policy Resolution No. 21.
2. Can investors use the recreational facilities? In general, real-estate investors may not use the recreational facilities. If an individual’s primary Arizona residence is one of several Sun City properties that he/she owns, he/she meets the qualifications for Membership, and all assessments are paid on all properties, he/she will be issued a Member Card to access the recreational facilities. A multiple property Owner is not considered to occupy more than one property at a time. Each individual qualified as a Member is entitled to only one vote on each matter voted on by the Members.
3. Can individuals under 55 years of age purchase a home in Sun City? Yes, individuals under 55 years of age can purchase homes in Sun City. However, they may only live in the home if they are at least 19 years of age and so long as another individual who is at least 55 years of age also lives in the home, such as a spouse or relative. No one under 19 years of age may live in a Sun City residence.
4. Can children under 18 years of age live in Sun City? No. The minimum age requirement to be a resident of Sun City is 19 years of age as long as there is someone at least 55 years of age living in the home as well. Persons under 19 years of age may visit no more than 90 days per year.
5. What is the Preservation and Improvement Fee? How is it used? The Preservation and Improvement Fee (PIF) is a fee assessed on the transfer of a Sun City property. Full details on the Preservation and Improvement Fee are outlined in RCSC Board Policy Resolution No. 24.
6. I am a homeowner. Must I pay the annual property assessment if I do not use the facilities? Yes. More information on annual property assessments is outlined in RCSC Board Policy Resolution No. 28.
7. Can Sun City homeowners use the recreational facilities in Sun City West? No. Sun City and Sun City West are two distinct communities with distinct recreational facilities and requirements. For more information on Sun City West, contact Recreation Centers of Sun City West or PORA.
8. Is RCSC the same thing as Sun City Home Owners Association? No, RCSC is a nonprofit, private corporation that owns and operates the Sun City recreational facilities: seven recreation centers, eight golf courses, two bowling centers, seven food service outlets/restaurants, the Sun Bowl amphitheatre and the softball field all located within the Sun City community. Sun City Home Owners Association, commonly referred to as SCHOA, is the community homeowners’ association, enforcing Sun City’s residential deed restrictions, called Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as other vital services for the community. For more information, visit the SCHOA website.
9. Is membership in SCHOA mandatory? SCHOA membership is voluntary, but compliance with the Sun City Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs) is mandatory. For more information, visit the SCHOA website.
10. My address is Sun City. Am I eligible for RCSC membership? In general, yes. However, some homes with a Sun City address in zip code 85373 are not eligible because these homes are not actually in Sun City and are only designated as such by the United States Postal Service. If you are unsure whether a property is eligible for RCSC Membership, please contact RCSC
.
11. Can recreation cards be prorated? Yes, recreation cards may be prorated in the event that a homeowner sells his or her property or in the event that the homeowner dies. The details are outlined in Board Policy Resolution No. 22.
12. Who governs Sun City? Sun City is not technically a city. It is an unincorporated part of Maricopa County, Arizona. This means there is no city hall or city police department in Sun City. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is the governing body that oversees aspects of Sun City such as roadways, medians, zoning, etc. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for law enforcement in the community. Fire protection is provided by the Sun City Fire Department.
13. If I own a house in Sun City, sell it and buy a new house, do I have to pay the PIF? A refund of the Preservation and Improvement Fee is available if the sale/disposition/transfer of a previous primary Arizona residence in Sun City is made within one (1) year of the purchase/acquisition/transfer/inheritance of the other primary Arizona residence in Sun City. See Board Policy Resolution No. 22 – Refunds for more details.
14. Is the trash bill prorated at closing? RCSC is not responsible for trash pickup in Sun City. Parks and Sons is the waste pickup provider in Sun City. For information on their services, visit the Parks and Sons website.