Many HOAs maintain a website where governing documents are posted. To find HOA rules and regulations online: Navigate to the HOA's official website. Look for sections labeled “Documents,” “Governing Documents,” or “Rules and Regulations.”
An association's “governing documents” are defined as “the declaration and any other documents, such as bylaws, operating rules, articles of incorporation, or articles of association, which govern the operation of the common interest development or association.” (Civ.
This can range from balance sheets, income and expense statements, and executed contracts, to agendas and minutes of meetings of the board and membership. You have the right to inspect these records. A formal request in writing can be made to the HOA to inspect or copy any of the specified association records.
What are unenforceable HOA rules? Keep you out of court. Hush up litigation. Discriminate indiscriminately. Enter your home without cause or notice. String you out on the (clothes)line. Fine you for fun. Change rules on the fly. Demand you take down your dish.
California Civil Code Section 4080 The preparation of governing documents, which include the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), Articles of Incorporation, and Bylaws, is required for the formation of an HOA.
The Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act is a body of laws that govern HOAs in California, including rights and requirements regarding board elections, finances, maintenance responsibilities, dispute resolution, and many other matters. (Civil Code, § 4000 et seq.)
In 2024, the California legislature passed an amendment that allowed online elections to be held within HOAs. It recognized that this could open the door to digital vote manipulation within the HOA's management, though, so the state mandated that each HOA election needed to have an independent inspector of elections.
The new HOA law in California, passed in September 2024, includes amendments to the Davis-Stirling Act of 1985. These amendments make it possible for HOAs to conduct elections online rather than through costly and time-consuming paper balloting.
Moreover, California law does not permit HOAs to evict homeowners. If the owner of the property is leasing it to a renter, however, the homeowners' association may be allowed to remove the tenant.
The number is usually five. Very small associations sometimes call for three directors, and very large associations may have seven or more.