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JackS20 (North Carolina)
Posts: 271
Posted:
https://hoalaw.tinnellylaw.com/keeping-fines-in-check-hoas-face-100-cap-as-ab-130-is-signed-into-law/

AB-130 is the bill that passed last month. Getting out my popcorn to see how CA HOA's are gonna deal with this. My guess is less petty fines and more love thy neighbor vibes.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
That bill appears to do a lot more than limit monetary penalties.
However, I'll stick to the topic - limit on monetary penalties.

Per that bill: California Assembly Bill 130 (be sure to read the latest version)

(3) Existing law, the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, governs the formation and operation of common interest developments. Existing law requires that a common interest development be managed by an association.

Existing law, if an association adopts or has adopted a policy imposing any monetary penalty on any association member for a violation of the governing documents, requires the board to adopt and distribute to each member a schedule of the monetary penalties that may be assessed for those violations, as provided, and prohibits an association from imposing a monetary penalty on a member for a violation of the governing documents in excess of that schedule. Existing law requires the board to notify a member 10 days before a meeting to consider or impose discipline on the member, as specified. Existing law requires the board to provide a member with written notification of a decision to impose discipline on the member within 15 days.

This bill would prohibit monetary fees from exceeding the lesser of that specified schedule or $100 per violation, except as specified. The bill would require the board to give a member the opportunity to cure a violation prior to the meeting to consider or impose discipline, as specified. If the board and the member are in agreement after the meeting to consider or impose discipline, the bill would require the board to draft a written resolution. The bill would provide that the written resolution, signed by the association and member of a dispute pursuant to the procedure not in conflict with the law or governing documents, binds the association and is judicially enforceable. The bill would reduce the time to provide written notification of a decision to impose discipline from 15 days to 14 days.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Google is your friend - here's what Google AI said

https://www.google.com/search?q=california+hoa+law+on+fines+2025&oq=california+hoa+law+on+fines+2025&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCTE3NDMxajBqN6gCFLACAfEFPImfL1NMAz8&client=tablet-android-tmus-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

"Petty" is subjective, although it's true some HOAs have a history of
misusing them to whallop homeowners for minor issues, usually because they have the nerve to ask detailed questions about the budget and other association issues (the board never thought things through and really don't know ior care why they do what they do).

I think the end of this link is critical- HOAs may need to update its rules to cleary define which violations are considered health of safety risks. The more specific you are, the less likely you get into arguments over what's really problematic. There also need to be clear instructions on how violations are identified, how and when homeowners are notified, etc., as well as what issues are really resident-resident disputes which the HOA shouldnt get involved with at all.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
JackS20 (North Carolina)
Posts: 271
Posted:
Tall grass will become a safety issue because it breeds rodents and snakes. Meanwhile mowing grass which contributes to global warming and is the most irrigated crop in the USA that you can't eat is not a safety issue.

Brightly colored homes will become a safety issue because cars driving past will be distracted by the colors.

Leaving your trash can out is also a health issue because flies will get into it, never mind that flies will get into it no matter where it is placed.

The above is how an HOA board natzi would view things. I'm not joking I know one and they can say the above with a stright face.

Our own HOA is limiting HOA fines to $300 per year with 75% approving. No heatlh or safety provision.

over on reddit people are screaming the sky is falling, but in reality it will just be fine.

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