California Law

California Homeowners Association Law Library

California Condo, Co-op & HOA Law — A Plain-English Reference for Board Members

300 sections of California community-association law, translated into plain English. California community associations live under one statute: the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code §§ 4000–6150). It covers condos, planned developments, stock co-ops, and community apartments. The Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Law (Corporations Code) fills in the corporate gaps — directors, member meetings, membership lists. SoShiny tracks both so your board doesn’t have to.

Free 2-page California statute cheat sheet
Davis-Stirling (Civ. Code §§ 4000–6150) in one printable reference — 4-day board notice, two-envelope elections, 30-day pre-lien, $1,800 foreclosure floor. No email required.
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Chapter CIV-1

40 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 1 — General Provisions
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-2

3 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 2 — Application of Act
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-3

23 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 3 — Governing Documents
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-4

23 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 4 — Ownership and Transfer
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-5

26 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 5 — Property Use and Maintenance
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-6

48 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 6 — Association Governance
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-7

12 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 7 — Finances and Reserves
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-8

26 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 8 — Assessments and Collection
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-9

4 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 9 — Insurance and Liability
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-10

23 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 10 — Dispute Resolution and Enforcement
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CIV-11

3 sections · Davis-Stirling Act Ch. 11 — Construction Defect Litigation
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the CID structure under California Legislature.
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Chapter CORP

69 sections · Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Law
Plain-English coverage of every section governing the nonprofit corporation structure under California Legislature.
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Run your California community on a platform built around Davis-Stirling.

Every SoShiny feature ships statute-aware: meeting notices know the Open Meeting Act’s 4-day / 2-day rules, owner records flag the 10-business-day inspection clock, and document libraries pre-tag CC&Rs, election rules, and the annual budget report to the sections that govern them. The audit trail California courts expect when a board action is questioned is captured by default.

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Don’t see your state? SoShiny still works for any U.S. community association — the statute hub is a bonus compliance layer, not a requirement.

Frequently asked

Are these plain-English summaries legal advice?
No. These pages are plain-English summaries prepared by SoShiny for board members and managers. For binding legal advice or interpretation of how a section applies to your specific situation, consult a California-licensed attorney.
Where can I read the official California statute text?
Every section page links out to the official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. The summaries on this site are for reference; the statute itself is the binding authority.
How often are these summaries updated?
Each section page shows a 'Last updated' date matching the most recent CSV import. The California Legislature can amend any chapter in any session.
Does SoShiny work for all community associations in California?
Yes — and across the United States. Every feature is included on every plan, with the same audit trail, voting, records, and meeting tools your statute requires.
Do you cover statutes for other states?
Yes. SoShiny ships dedicated public statute hubs for Florida, New York, Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Hawaii, New Mexico, with more states added regularly.

Run your community on a platform built around California law.

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