The number is usually five. Very small associations sometimes call for three directors, and very large associations may have seven or more.
A corporation is required by California law to have at least three directors. However, the corporation may have one director if the corporation has only one shareholder; and the corporation must have at least two directors if the corporation has only two shareholders.
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.
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.
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.
Once you buy a home that's part of an HOA, you automatically become a member of the HOA. HOA rules are legally binding, and you must adhere to all rules and regulations in the governing document. Yes, there are bylaws that you may not like, but there are no HOA loopholes.
HOA Board Membership Numbers Typically, a board needs at least three members, but the maximum size will depend on state laws and the governing policies. HOA boards can expand where the demands and scope of the association increase due to new homes in the neighborhood or a larger number of residents.
While the intention is admirable, most experts do not recommend having informal board meetings. If board members have difficulty making decisions on the spot, they can move the item for discussion at the next meeting. This will give them time to consider the topic and come up with the right questions.
Section 4900 of the Act mandates that all HOA board meetings be open to association members, with a few exceptions for executive sessions. Executive sessions in California are closed-door meetings that only board members and specified participants can attend.