Homeowners often ask whether local laws supersede the rules and regulations set forth by their homeowner association (HOA). The short answer is yes, local laws do supersede HOA rules.
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.
Finally, is an HOA considered a local government? No—HOAs are not considered a local government entity. While they do hold some administrative functions for a community, such as collecting assessments and enforcing rules, they do not possess the authority granted to real government bodies.
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.
Federal Law Supersedes State Law. While a municipality can write local laws they can be stricter than the State law (as long as they do not run counter to the State or U.S. Constitution) But cannot contradict state law.
Generally, it is the laws that were in effect at the time the HOA documents were recorded. Your HOA documents are contracts between the HOA and its members so new laws cannot, generally, be applied retroactively to override them.
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.
California Secretary of State Filings This process legalizes the HOA and creates a public record of its existence. The filings include not only the Articles of Incorporation but can also encompass records of financial statements and any potential dissolution of the HOA.
The local law supersedes the rules and regulations of the HOA, meaning that HOAs must ensure they are operating under the law.
In some states, such as California, HOA bylaws are considered public record and must be made available upon request.