California Governing Laws

Davis-Stirling Act

Sections 1350-1376 of the California Civil Code, also known as the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, is the ultimate governing authority over Sunset Park and other common interest developments in California. This act supercedes the CC&Rs, the Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, Rules and Regulations, and any other actions taken by the Board.

It was once possible to view the entire Act as one file in the State of California website, but recently (as of this writing), the link to do that has not worked. Instead, it appears that you will have to visit the Table of Contents of the California Civil Code and examine the various parts of this act in piecemeal fashion.

Note that the Davis-Stirling Act is only a part of the California Civil Code. It is Sections 1350-1376. It is also DIVISION 2, PART 4, TITLE 6, Chapters 1-10. This information is valid as of the date below and is subject to change without notification to us. The act is frequently revised by the Legislature and can be expected to change on January 1 of every new year.

Dispute Resolution

Two articles in the Davis-Stirling Act lay out requirements relating to resolving disputes relating to a common interest development. (Note: This information was accurate on July 1, 2005.)

Chapter 4, Article 5 — Dispute Resolution Procedure, Civil Code Section 1363.810-1363.850
Chapter 7, Article 2 — Alternative Dispute Resolution, Civil Code Section 1369.510-1369.590

Other Applicable Code

Below is a list of likely California Codes that may have sections applicable to the governance of homeowner associations.

California Civil Code

   DIVISION 2.  PROPERTY
    PART 1.  PROPERTY IN GENERAL
     TITLE 2.  OWNERSHIP
      CHAPTER 2.  MODIFICATIONS OF OWNERSHIP
       Article 2.  Conditions of Ownership .......................... 707-714.5
    PART 4.  ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
     TITLE 6.  COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENTS
      CHAPTER 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
       Article 1.  Preliminary Provisions ......................... 1350-1350.7
       Article 2.  Definitions .........................................   1351
      CHAPTER 2.  GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
       Article 1.  Creation ....................................... 1352-1353.6
       Article 2.  Enforcement .........................................   1354
       Article 3.  Amendment ........................................ 1355-1357
       Article 4.  Operating Rules .......................... 1357.100-1357.150
      CHAPTER 3.  OWNERSHIP RIGHTS AND INTERESTS .................... 1358-1362
      CHAPTER 4.  GOVERNANCE
       Article 1.  Association .........................................   1363
       Article 2.  Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act ....... 1363.05
       Article 3.  Managing Agents .............................. 1363.1-1363.2
       Article 4.  Public Information ........................... 1363.5-1363.6
      CHAPTER 5.  OPERATIONS
       Article 1.  Common Areas ........................................   1364
       Article 2.  Fiscal Matters ................................. 1365-1365.5
       Article 3.  Insurance .................................... 1365.7-1365.9
       Article 4.  Assessments .................................... 1366-1367.1
      CHAPTER 6.  TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS ................. 1368-1368.1
      CHAPTER 7.  Civil Actions and Liens ......................... 1368.4-1369
      CHAPTER 8.  CONSTRUCTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND ZONING ............ 1370-1374
      CHAPTER 9.  CONSTRUCTION DEFECT LITIGATION .................. 1375-1375.1
      CHAPTER 10.  IMPROVEMENTS ........................................   1376

California Business and Professions Code

   DIVISION 4.  REAL ESTATE
    PART 4.  CERTIFIED COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
     CHAPTER 1.  PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS .......................... 11500-11501
     CHAPTER 2.  CERTIFIED COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENT MANAGER .... 11502-11503
     CHAPTER 3.  DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS ...............................  11504
     CHAPTER 4.  UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES .............................  11505
     CHAPTER 5.  SUNSET REVIEW .........................................  11506

California Corporations Code

   TITLE 1.  CORPORATIONS
    DIVISION 2.  NONPROFIT CORPORATION LAW .......................... 5000-5001
     PART 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS GOVERNING PARTS 1
              THROUGH 5 ............................................. 5002-5080
     PART 3.  NONPROFIT MUTUAL BENEFIT CORPORATIONS
      CHAPTER 2.  DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
       Article 1.  General Provisions ............................... 7210-7215
       Article 2.  Selection, Removal and Resignation of Directors .. 7220-7225
       Article 3.  Standards of Conduct ............................. 7230-7238
       Article 4.  Examination by Attorney General .....................   7240
      CHAPTER 3.  MEMBERS
       Article 1.  Issuance of Memberships .......................... 7310-7315
       Article 2.  Transfer of Memberships .............................   7320
       Article 3.  Types of Memberships ............................. 7330-7333
       Article 4.  Termination of Memberships ....................... 7340-7341
       Article 5.  Rights and Obligations of Members and Creditors .. 7350-7354
      CHAPTER 4.  DISTRIBUTIONS
       Article 1.  Limitations ...................................... 7410-7414
       Article 2.  Liability of Members ................................   7420
      CHAPTER 5.  MEETINGS AND VOTING
       Article 1.  General Provisions ............................... 7510-7517
       Article 2.  Additional Provisions Relating to Election of
                   Directors ........................................ 7520-7527
      CHAPTER 6.  VOTING OF MEMBERSHIPS ............................. 7610-7616
      CHAPTER 12.  REQUIRED FILINGS BY CORPORATION OR ITS AGENT ..... 8210-8217
      CHAPTER 13.  RECORDS, REPORTS, AND RIGHTS OF INSPECTION
       Article 1.  General Provisions ............................... 8310-8313
       Article 2.  Required Records, Reports to Directors and Members 8320-8325
       Article 3.  Rights of Inspection ............................. 8330-8338

California Government Code

   TITLE 2.  GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
    DIVISION 3.  EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
     PART 2.  CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
      CHAPTER 3.  SECRETARY OF STATE
       Article 3.  Business Programs .............................. 12180-12197
     PART 2.8.  DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING
      CHAPTER 6.  DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED
       Article 2.  Housing Discrimination ....................... 12955-12956.1

California Vehicle Code

   DIVISION 11.  RULES OF THE ROAD
    CHAPTER 10.  REMOVAL OF PARKED AND ABANDONED VEHICLES
     Article 1.  Authority to Remove Vehicles ..................... 22650-22711
     Article 2.  Vehicle Disposition .............................. 22850-22856

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