Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act
(Davis-Stirling Act)

Civil Code Sections 1350-1378 (as of January 1, 2008)


  CALIFORNIA CODES
CIVIL CODE
SECTION 1350-1350.7

1350. This title shall be known and may be cited as the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act.

1350.5. Division, part, title, chapter, and section headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of this title.

1350.7. (a) This section applies to delivery of a document to the extent the section is made applicable by another provision of this title.
    (b) A document shall be delivered by one or more of the following methods:
        (1) Personal delivery.
        (2) First-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to a member at the address last shown on the books of the association or otherwise provided by the member. Delivery is deemed to be complete on deposit into the United States mail.
        (3) E-mail, facsimile, or other electronic means, if the recipient has agreed to that method of delivery. If a document is delivered by electronic means, delivery is complete at the time of transmission.
        (4) By publication in a periodical that is circulated primarily to members of the association.
        (5) If the association broadcasts television programming for the purpose of distributing information on association business to its members, by inclusion in the programming.
        (6) A method of delivery provided in a recorded provision of the governing documents.
        (7) Any other method of delivery, provided that the recipient has agreed to that method of delivery.
    (c) A document may be included in or delivered with a billing statement, newsletter, or other document that is delivered by one of the methods provided in subdivision (b).
    (d) For the purposes of this section, an unrecorded provision of the governing documents providing for a particular method of delivery does not constitute agreement by a member of the association to that method of delivery.


SECTION 1355-1357

1355. (a) The declaration may be amended pursuant to the governing documents or this title. Except as provided in Section 1356, an amendment is effective after (1) the approval of the percentage of owners required by the governing documents has been given, (2) that fact has been certified in a writing executed and acknowledged by the officer designated in the declaration or by the association for that purpose, or if no one is designated, by the president of the association, and (3) that writing has been recorded in each county in which a portion of the common interest development is located.
    (b) Except to the extent that a declaration provides by its express terms that it is not amendable, in whole or in part, a declaration which fails to include provisions permitting its amendment at all times during its existence may be amended at any time. For purposes of this subdivision, an amendment is only effective after (1) the proposed amendment has been distributed to all of the owners of separate interests in the common interest development by first-class mail postage prepaid or personal delivery not less than 15 days and not more than 60 days prior to any approval being solicited; (2) the approval of owners representing more than 50 percent, or any higher percentage required by the declaration for the approval of an amendment to the declaration, of the separate interests in the common interest development has been given, and that fact has been certified in a writing, executed and acknowledged by an officer of the association; and (3) the amendment has been recorded in each county in which a portion of the common interest development is located. A copy of any amendment adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall be distributed by first-class mail postage prepaid or personal delivery to all of the owners of separate interest immediately upon its recordation.

1355.5. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the governing documents of a common interest development to the contrary, the board of directors of the association may, after the developer of the common interest development has completed construction of the development, has terminated construction activities, and has terminated his or her marketing activities for the sale, lease, or other disposition of separate interests within the development, adopt an amendment deleting from any of the governing documents any provision which is unequivocally designed and intended, or which by its nature can only have been designed or intended, to facilitate the developer in completing the construction or marketing of the development. However, provisions of the governing documents relative to a particular construction or marketing phase of the development may not be deleted under the authorization of this subdivision until that construction or marketing phase has been completed.
    (b) The provisions which may be deleted by action of the board shall be limited to those which provide for access by the developer over or across the common area for the purposes of (a) completion of construction of the development, and (b) the erection, construction, or maintenance of structures or other facilities designed to facilitate the completion of construction or marketing of separate interests.
    (c) At least 30 days prior to taking action pursuant to subdivision (a), the board of directors of the association shall mail to all owners of the separate interests, by first-class mail, (1) a copy of all amendments to the governing documents proposed to be adopted under subdivision (a) and (2) a notice of the time, date, and place the board of directors will consider adoption of the amendments. The board of directors of an association may consider adoption of amendments to the governing documents pursuant to subdivision (a) only at a meeting which is open to all owners of the separate interests in the common interest development, who shall be given opportunity to make comments thereon. All deliberations of the board of directors on any action proposed under subdivision (a) shall only be conducted in such an open meeting.
    (d) The board of directors of the association may not amend the governing documents pursuant to this section without the approval of the owners, casting a majority of the votes at a meeting or election of the association constituting a quorum and conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 7510) of Part 3 of Division 2 of Title 1 of, and Section 7613 of, the Corporations Code. For the purposes of this section, "quorum" means more than 50 percent of the owners who own no more than two separate interests in the development.

1356. (a) If in order to amend a declaration, the declaration requires owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in the association, in a single class voting structure, or owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in more than one class in a voting structure with more than one class, to vote in favor of the amendment, the association, or any owner of a separate interest, may petition the superior court of the county in which the common interest development is located for an order reducing the percentage of the affirmative votes necessary for such an amendment. The petition shall describe the effort that has been made to solicit approval of the association members in the manner provided in the declaration, the number of affirmative and negative votes actually received, the number or percentage of affirmative votes required to effect the amendment in accordance with the existing declaration, and other matters the petitioner considers relevant to the court's determination. The petition shall also contain, as exhibits thereto, copies of all of the following:
        (1) The governing documents.
        (2) A complete text of the amendment.
        (3) Copies of any notice and solicitation materials utilized in the solicitation of owner approvals.
        (4) A short explanation of the reason for the amendment.
        (5) Any other documentation relevant to the court's determination.

    (b) Upon filing the petition, the court shall set the matter for hearing and issue an ex parte order setting forth the manner in which notice shall be given.
    (c) The court may, but shall not be required to, grant the petition if it finds all of the following:
        (1) The petitioner has given not less than 15 days written notice of the court hearing to all members of the association, to any mortgagee of a mortgage or beneficiary of a deed of trust who is entitled to notice under the terms of the declaration, and to the city, county, or city and county in which the common interest development is located that is entitled to notice under the terms of the declaration.
        (2) Balloting on the proposed amendment was conducted in accordance with all applicable provisions of the governing documents.
        (3) A reasonably diligent effort was made to permit all eligible members to vote on the proposed amendment.
        (4) Owners having more than 50 percent of the votes, in a single class voting structure, voted in favor of the amendment. In a voting structure with more than one class, where the declaration requires a majority of more than one class to vote in favor of the amendment, owners having more than 50 percent of the votes of each class required by the declaration to vote in favor of the amendment voted in favor of the amendment.
        (5) The amendment is reasonable.
        (6) Granting the petition is not improper for any reason stated in subdivision (e).
    (d) If the court makes the findings required by subdivision (c), any order issued pursuant to this section may confirm the amendment as being validly approved on the basis of the affirmative votes actually received during the balloting period or the order may dispense with any requirement relating to quorums or to the number or percentage of votes needed for approval of the amendment that would otherwise exist under the governing documents.
    (e) Subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, notwithstanding, the court shall not be empowered by this section to approve any amendment to the declaration that:
        (1) Would change provisions in the declaration requiring the approval of owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in more than one class to vote in favor of an amendment, unless owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in each affected class approved the amendment.
        (2) Would eliminate any special rights, preferences, or privileges designated in the declaration as belonging to the declarant, without the consent of the declarant.
        (3) Would impair the security interest of a mortgagee of a mortgage or the beneficiary of a deed of trust without the approval of the percentage of the mortgagees and beneficiaries specified in the declaration, if the declaration requires the approval of a specified percentage of the mortgagees and beneficiaries.
    (f) An amendment is not effective pursuant to this section until the court order and amendment have been recorded in every county in which a portion of the common interest development is located. The amendment may be acknowledged by, and the court order and amendment may be recorded by, any person designated in the declaration or by the association for that purpose, or if no one is designated for that purpose, by the president of the association. Upon recordation of the amendment and court order, the declaration, as amended in accordance with this section, shall have the same force and effect as if the amendment were adopted in compliance with every requirement imposed by the governing documents.
    (g) Within a reasonable time after the amendment is recorded the association shall mail a copy of the amendment to each member of the association, together with a statement that the amendment has been recorded.

1357. (a) The Legislature finds that there are common interest developments that have been created with deed restrictions which do not provide a means for the property owners to extend the term of the declaration. The Legislature further finds that covenants and restrictions, contained in the declaration, are an appropriate method for protecting the common plan of developments and to provide for a mechanism for financial support for the upkeep of common areas including, but not limited to, roofs, roads, heating systems, and recreational facilities. If declarations terminate prematurely, common interest developments may deteriorate and the housing supply of affordable units could be impacted adversely.
    The Legislature further finds and declares that it is in the public interest to provide a vehicle for extending the term of the declaration if owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in the association choose to do so.
    (b) A declaration which specifies a termination date, but which contains no provision for extension of the termination date, may be extended by the approval of owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in the association or any greater percentage specified in the declaration for an amendment thereto. If the approval of owners having more than 50 percent of the votes in the association is required to amend the declaration, the term of the declaration may be extended in accordance with Section 1356.
    (c) Any amendment to a declaration made in accordance with subdivision (b) shall become effective upon recordation in accordance with Section 1355.
    (d) No single extension of the terms of the declaration made pursuant to this section shall exceed the initial term of the declaration or 20 years, whichever is less. However, more than one extension may occur pursuant to this section.

SECTION 1357.100-1357.150

1357.100. As used in this article:
    (a) "Operating rule" means a regulation adopted by the board of directors of the association that applies generally to the management and operation of the common interest development or the conduct of the business and affairs of the association.
    (b) "Rule change" means the adoption, amendment, or repeal of an operating rule by the board of directors of the association.

1357.110. An operating rule is valid and enforceable only if all of the following requirements are satisfied:
    (a) The rule is in writing.
    (b) The rule is within the authority of the board of directors of the association conferred by law or by the declaration, articles of incorporation or association, or bylaws of the association.
    (c) The rule is not inconsistent with governing law and the declaration, articles of incorporation or association, and bylaws of the association.
    (d) The rule is adopted, amended, or repealed in good faith and in substantial compliance with the requirements of this article.
    (e) The rule is reasonable.

1357.120. (a) Sections 1357.130 and 1357.140 only apply to an operating rule that relates to one or more of the following subjects:
        (1) Use of the common area or of an exclusive use common area.
        (2) Use of a separate interest, including any aesthetic or architectural standards that govern alteration of a separate interest.
        (3) Member discipline, including any schedule of monetary penalties for violation of the governing documents and any procedure for the imposition of penalties.
        (4) Any standards for delinquent assessment payment plans.
        (5) Any procedures adopted by the association for resolution of disputes.
        (6) Any procedures for reviewing and approving or disapproving a proposed physical change to a member's separate interest or to the common area.
        (7) Procedures for elections.
    (b) Sections 1357.130 and 1357.140 do not apply to the following actions by the board of directors of an association:
        (1) A decision regarding maintenance of the common area.
        (2) A decision on a specific matter that is not intended to apply generally.
        (3) A decision setting the amount of a regular or special assessment.
        (4) A rule change that is required by law, if the board of directors has no discretion as to the substantive effect of the rule change.
        (5) Issuance of a document that merely repeats existing law or the governing documents.

1357.130. (a) The board of directors shall provide written notice of a proposed rule change to the members at least 30 days before making the rule change. The notice shall include the text of the proposed rule change and a description of the purpose and effect of the proposed rule change. Notice is not required under this subdivision if the board of directors determines that an immediate rule change is necessary to address an imminent threat to public health or safety or imminent risk of substantial economic loss to the association.
    (b) A decision on a proposed rule change shall be made at a meeting of the board of directors, after consideration of any comments made by association members.
    (c) As soon as possible after making a rule change, but not more than 15 days after making the rule change, the board of directors shall deliver notice of the rule change to every association member. If the rule change was an emergency rule change made under subdivision (d), the notice shall include the text of the rule change, a description of the purpose and effect of the rule change, and the date that the rule change expires.
    (d) If the board of directors determines that an immediate rule change is required to address an imminent threat to public health or safety, or an imminent risk of substantial economic loss to the association, it may make an emergency rule change; and no notice is required, as specified in subdivision (a). An emergency rule change is effective for 120 days, unless the rule change provides for a shorter effective period. A rule change made under this subdivision may not be readopted under this subdivision.
    (e) A notice required by this section is subject to Section 1350.7.

1357.140. (a) Members of an association owning 5 percent or more of the separate interests may call a special meeting of the members to reverse a rule change.
    (b) A special meeting of the members may be called by delivering a written request to the president or secretary of the board of directors, after which the board shall deliver notice of the meeting to the association's members and hold the meeting in conformity with Section 7511 of the Corporations Code. The written request may not be delivered more than 30 days after the members of the association are notified of the rule change. Members are deemed to have been notified of a rule change on delivery of notice of the rule change, or on enforcement of the resulting rule, whichever is sooner. For the purposes of Section 8330 of the Corporations Code, collection of signatures to call a special meeting under this section is a purpose reasonably related to the interests of the members of the association. A member request to copy or inspect the membership list solely for that purpose may not be denied on the grounds that the purpose is not reasonably related to the member's interests as a member.
    (c) The rule change may be reversed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which affirmative votes also constitute a majority of the required quorum), or if the declaration or bylaws require a greater proportion, by the affirmative vote or written ballot of the proportion required. In lieu of calling the meeting described in this section, the board may distribute a written ballot to every member of the association in conformity with the requirements of Section 7513 of the Corporations Code.
    (d) Unless otherwise provided in the declaration or bylaws, for the purposes of this section, a member may cast one vote per separate interest owned.
    (e) A meeting called under this section is governed by Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 7510) of Part 3 of Division 2 of Title 1 of, and Sections 7612 and 7613 of, the Corporations Code.
    (f) A rule change reversed under this section may not be readopted for one year after the date of the meeting reversing the rule change. Nothing in this section precludes the board of directors from adopting a different rule on the same subject as the rule change that has been reversed.
    (g) As soon as possible after the close of voting, but not more than 15 days after the close of voting, the board of directors shall provide notice of the results of a member vote held pursuant to this section to every association member. Delivery of notice under this subdivision is subject to Section 1350.7.
    (h) This section does not apply to an emergency rule change made under subdivision (d) of Section 1357.130.

1357.150. (a) This article applies to a rule change commenced on or after January 1, 2004.
    (b) Nothing in this article affects the validity of a rule change commenced before January 1, 2004.
    (c) For the purposes of this section, a rule change is commenced when the board of directors of the association takes its first official action leading to adoption of the rule change.

SECTION 1376-1378

1376. (a) Any covenant, condition, or restriction contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any interest in, a common interest development that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a video or television antenna, including a satellite dish, or that effectively prohibits or restricts the attachment of that antenna to a structure within that development where the antenna is not visible from any street or common area, except as otherwise prohibited or restricted by law, is void and unenforceable as to its application to the installation or use of a video or television antenna that has a diameter or diagonal measurement of 36 inches or less.
    (b) This section shall not apply to any covenant, condition, or restriction, as described in subdivision (a), that imposes reasonable restrictions on the installation or use of a video or television antenna, including a satellite dish, that has a diameter or diagonal measurement of 36 inches or less. For purposes of this section, "reasonable restrictions" means those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the video or television antenna system, including all related equipment, or significantly decrease its efficiency or performance and include all of the following:
        (1) Requirements for application and notice to the association prior to the installation.
        (2) Requirement of the owner of a separate interest, as defined in Section 1351, to obtain the approval of the association for the installation of a video or television antenna that has a diameter or diagonal measurement of 36 inches or less on a separate interest owned by another.
        (3) Provision for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of roofs or other building components.
        (4) Requirements for installers of a video or television antenna to indemnify or reimburse the association or its members for loss or damage caused by the installation, maintenance, or use of a video or television antenna that has a diameter or diagonal measurement of 36 inches or less.
    (c) Whenever approval is required for the installation or use of a video or television antenna, including a satellite dish, the application for approval shall be processed by the appropriate approving entity for the common interest development in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property, and the issuance of a decision on the application shall not be willfully delayed.
    (d) In any action to enforce compliance with this section, the prevailing party shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees.

1378. (a) This section applies if an association's governing documents require association approval before an owner of a separate interest may make a physical change to the owner's separate interest or to the common area. In reviewing and approving or disapproving a proposed change, the association shall satisfy the following requirements:
        (1) The association shall provide a fair, reasonable, and expeditious procedure for making its decision. The procedure shall be included in the association's governing documents. The procedure shall provide for prompt deadlines. The procedure shall state the maximum time for response to an application or a request for reconsideration by the board of directors.
        (2) A decision on a proposed change shall be made in good faith and may not be unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious.
        (3) Notwithstanding a contrary provision of the governing documents, a decision on a proposed change may not violate any governing provision of law, including, but not limited to, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), or a building code or other applicable law governing land use or public safety.
        (4) A decision on a proposed change shall be in writing. If a proposed change is disapproved, the written decision shall include both an explanation of why the proposed change is disapproved and a description of the procedure for reconsideration of the decision by the board of directors.
        (5) If a proposed change is disapproved, the applicant is entitled to reconsideration by the board of directors of the association that made the decision, at an open meeting of the board. This paragraph does not require reconsideration of a decision that is made by the board of directors or a body that has the same membership as the board of directors, at a meeting that satisfies the requirements of Section 1363.05. Reconsideration by the board does not constitute dispute resolution within the meaning of Section 1363.820.
    (b) Nothing in this section authorizes a physical change to the common area in a manner that is inconsistent with an association's governing documents, unless the change is required by law.
    (c) An association shall annually provide its members with notice of any requirements for association approval of physical changes to property. The notice shall describe the types of changes that require association approval and shall include a copy of the procedure used to review and approve or disapprove a proposed change.



 

  Attorney, Board of Directors, California Civil Code, CID, Common Interest Development, Common Interest Developments, Community Association, Community Associations, Condominium, Condominiums,Cooperatives, Davis - Stirling Act, Davis Stirling Act, Davis- Stirling Common Interest Development Act, Delinquent, Delinquencies, Disclosure, Disclosures, Dispute Resolution, Duties, Election, Election Procedures, Elections, Emergency, Executive Session, Section 1354, Fines, Foreclosure, Foreclosures, HOA, HOAs, Homeowner Association, Homeowner Associations, Law, Lawyer, Lien, Liens, Mediation Mediations, Minutes, Open Meeting Act, Planned Development, Planned Developments, Procedure, Recall, Records, Reserve Studies, Reserve Study Rule Change, Rules, Rule Changes, Section 1350, Special Meeting, Special Meetings