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.
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.
HOAs are usually governed by a board of directors or governors that is elected by the homeowners to make decisions about the HOA and enforce its rules. Most HOAs in California are set up as nonprofit mutual benefit corporations, but some may be structured differently.
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.
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.
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 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.)
Laws always supersede governing documents IF they conflict and the law applies to your HOA. In California, the Davis-Stirling Act may take precedent over general corporation codes because it's specific to HOAs.
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.
The local law supersedes the rules and regulations of the HOA, meaning that HOAs must ensure they are operating under the law.