What Happens if Nobody Runs for the Board - Coast Management of California. Directors of HOA boards continue to serve until they are replaced at the next election. If no one runs for the board, existing board members can serve in perpetuity.
Initiate a Recall Election For instance, at least 5% of the membership must sign the petition to move forward in California. Then comes the vote. Homeowners, including HOA board members, must vote in favor or against the recall or removal.
Though corporate status is not required, associations incorporate to avail themselves of certain legal protections afforded to corporations under California law.
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.
Rules and Guidelines for HOA Lawsuits Individual members of the HOA board cannot typically be sued; however, the board as a whole functions as a single entity that can be held legally liable in court. Prior to suing a California HOA, it is wise to attempt other types of resolution.
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.
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.
In general, California's HOA laws protect volunteer board members from personal liability. (Civ. Code §5800; Corp. Code §5047.5(b).)
The number is usually five. Very small associations sometimes call for three directors, and very large associations may have seven or more.
An HOA has the authority to enforce the rules and regulations of the community using the community rules, or “bylaws and covenants.” These rules are considered “agreed upon” since homeowners approve them through board-elected representatives.