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State Summary
Got a California HOA fine? AB 130 caps fines at $100 per violation and §5855 gives you 10 days notice and the right to address the board. Free defense guide.
Governing Law: California Civil Code §4000-6150 — Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act
Researched by Brandon Sorensen
California has one of the nation's strongest and most detailed HOA regulatory frameworks, governed by the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (California Civil Code §4000-6150). With millions of homeowners living in California HOAs, the state has continuously refined its protections to address board overreach and unfair enforcement practices.
The landmark Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130), effective June 30, 2025, introduced a $100 per-violation fine cap for the first time in California HOA history — a fundamental shift in protecting homeowners from excessive board penalties. Combined with earlier reforms like SB 900 (2024, requiring utility repairs within 14 days) and §5105 (2025, permitting (not requiring) electronic secret ballots), California now provides comprehensive protection against unfair violations and enforcement.
This guide covers everything you need to know about California HOA law: how to fight violations under AB 130, your rights as a homeowner, mandatory alternative dispute resolution (ADR) requirements, and the specific procedures boards must follow. Use the sections below to find information relevant to your situation.
Max Fine
$100 per violation (AB 130)
Aggregate Cap
No explicit cap
Notice Period
Reasonable opportunity to cure
Hearing
Yes — under §5855
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California caps HOA fines at $100 (AB 130) and bans selective enforcement. Use §5855 to demand a hearing, document violations, and get your fine dismissed.
Read Guide →Complete explanation of California Civil Code §4000-6150 Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act. Your rights to records, voting, meetings, and protections against unfair board behavior.
Read Guide →Complete guide to California fine caps: AB 130 $100 per violation (non-health/safety), §5855 hearing procedures, selective enforcement prohibitions, lien restrictions, and comparison to neighboring states.
Read Guide →California's HOA law is governed by the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act , codified in California Civil Code §4000-6150. This comprehensive statute is one of the most detailed and homeowner-protective HOA codes in the nation, with decades of judicial interpretation…
Read the full California HOA laws guide →Assembly Bill 130, effective June 30, 2025, introduced California's first-ever fine cap system, fundamentally changing HOA enforcement economics. These caps are among the most homeowner-protective in the nation.
Read the full California HOA fine-limits guide →California's fining procedure, reformed by AB 130 effective June 30, 2025, now includes a $100 per-violation cap and strict procedural requirements. Understanding each step gives you strategic advantage when challenging violations.
Read the full California dispute guide →Under AB 130 (effective June 30, 2025), the maximum fine is $100 per violation for the first year. However, this cap only applies to violations of the governing documents — not health/safety violations. Fines for health, safety, or building code violations are not subject to the $100 cap. The statute also requires HOAs to apply fines in a manner consistent with enforcement on all residents.
AB 130 (effective June 30, 2025) introduced California's first-ever $100 per-violation fine cap for non-health/safety violations. It also restricted HOAs from imposing fines exceeding the lesser of the scheduled amount or $100 per violation and established that selective enforcement is illegal. The bill represents California's most significant fine reform in decades.
Not without notice. Civil Code §5855 requires the board to give you at least 10 days written notice before the meeting at which discipline is considered, stating the date, time, place and the nature of the alleged violation. You have the right to attend and address the board, and to have the meeting held in executive session if you request it. The board must notify you of its decision in writing within 15 days. Note that the decision-maker is the board itself — California does not require a neutral or impartial hearing officer. Your strongest argument is §5855(g): if the board fails to comply with these requirements, the discipline is ineffective.
California Civil Code §§ 5200-5210 give you broad record access rights. You can request financial records, meeting minutes, enforcement records, and governing documents. The HOA must provide access or copies within 10 days. If they wrongfully deny access, you can pursue damages and attorney fees.
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Every state has different HOA rules. Compare California's with these high-traffic state guides, or see all 50 in the Max HOA Fine in Every State master table.
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