Although organizations don't need to file these bylaws with the state, California law requires that the treasurer or other designated member of the organization maintains a copy on file.
California corporate bylaws are the agreed-upon rules for your corporation's operations. Bylaws create an organizational structure for your company and outline policies for appointing directors and officers, holding shareholder and board meetings, and handling conflicts of interest, among other issues.
To form a corporation in California, Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the California Secretary of State's office. Forms for the most common types of Articles of Incorporation are available on our Forms, Samples and Fees webpage. You may use the form or prepare your own statutorily compliant document.
No, bylaws and operating agreements (and any amendments thereto) are maintained by the business entity and are not filed with the Secretary of State. Requests for copies or information about these documents should be directed to the business entity itself.
LLCs are not required to have bylaws. However, they are governed by an operating agreement which is like a corporation's bylaws.
Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.
(b) Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by approval of the members (Section 5034); provided, however, that such adoption, amendment or repeal also requires approval by the members of a class if such action would: (1) Materially and adversely affect the rights, privileges, preferences, restrictions or conditions ...
Every California Corporation must adopt bylaws, and this article identifies the key components that should be included in California Corporation Bylaws; however, this article does not contain all the headings or provisions that are required to be included in California Corporation Bylaws.