The Orchid Bay community takes responsibility for maintaining roads, infrastructure and civic buildings within the community. The homeowner’s association is the governing body by which this is accomplished. Additionally, the plans and restrictions established by Orchid Bay are designed to protect the property values.

The homeowner’s association documents at Orchid Bay are based on those of Seaside – one of the premiere New Urbanist communities in the United States.

Orchid Bay is a community developing upon real property in Corozal District, Belize, a traditional neighborhood development. The master plan for Orchid Bay calls for creation of a new community, with walk able streets, plazas and greens, and a range of housing types and businesses. Orchid Bay is intended to mix commercial, civic and residential uses in a way that enlivens the community. The master plan comprises of the neighborhood, which is the primarily residential portion, and the town center, which brings together a mixture of commercial and residential uses.

Orchid Bay is subject to master deed restrictions. Among other things, the master deed restrictions regulate the construction and modification of buildings and other improvements within Orchid Bay.

Detailed guidelines, known as the Orchid Bay design code, regulate setbacks, porches, outbuildings, building materials, and other matters essential for the creation of outdoor and civic spaces. A community is formed when buildings are built and occupied. To establish a community of residents and to create a streetscape of buildings, rather than empty lots, Orchid Bay is offering incentives to parcel owner building within a certain time limit.

The physical form is only, one aspect of a community. To support the social development of Orchid Bay and provide a mechanism for common governance Orchid Bay establishes through the master deed restrictions and the declaration of charter, easements, covenants, and restrictions an owners' association to enhance community life, to institute and enforce certain covenants and restrictions, to provide for further maintenance of the community, and to allow for self-governing of Orchid Bay by its owners.

Each year, the budget for the HOA is set to provide for the communal needs of the community. The budget total is divided by the number of units (lots, houses, condos and commercial). Each owner pays a pro-rata share. The impact of a property on the community is accounted for in the formula. For example, the assessment on a commercial property is higher than on a vacant lot. Each property is assigned a property type and a specific ratio. A vacant home site may have a 0.25 ratio, once a home is built on a lot the same property has a 0.75 ratio.