Overview When an HOA board allows one homeowner to fence off a strip of land, enclose a patio, control a portion of the roof, or otherwise receive exclusive rights over common area, the first question most homeowners ask is simple: Did the members approve this? Civil...
Overview In most California HOAs, common area belongs to the association as a whole and is intended for the benefit of the membership at large. That is why homeowners often react strongly when they see an HOA board allow one owner to fence off a strip of land, extend...
Overview Internal Dispute Resolution, commonly called “IDR,” is a formal meet-and-confer process required by Civil Code 5900–5915 and built into the Davis-Stirling Act. It applies when you and your HOA are in a dispute about your rights or obligations under the...
Overview After a declared disaster, Government Code 65914.202 provides powerful protection against local government interference with temporary housing during reconstruction. The statute renders unenforceable any local ordinance that precludes the placement and use of...
Overview California’s SB 625, which took effect on January 1, 2026, represents a significant shift in the balance of power between Homeowners Associations and homeowners when disaster strikes. For years, some HOA boards used discretionary architectural review...
Overview Homeowners frequently ask whether they have the legal right to see architectural applications submitted by their neighbors, especially when those applications affect exterior paint schemes, fencing, landscaping, or other visible improvements. The question...
