HOA Rules in Alameda County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Alameda County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Alameda County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Board Procedures

HOAs in Alameda County operate under California Davis-Stirling (Civil Code 4000+). Board meetings require 4-day notice, open session participation, and minutes available within 30 days.

HOA Board Procedures in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 4920

(2) If a nonemergency board meeting is held solely in executive session, the association shall give notice of the time and place of the meeting at least two days prior to the meeting. (3) If the association’s governing documents require a longer period of notice than is required by this section, the association shall comply with the period stated in its governing documents. For the purposes of ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Architectural Review

Alameda County HOAs conduct architectural review under Civil Code 4765. Associations must provide fair, reasonable procedures with written decisions within a defined timeframe and a right to appeal to the board.

HOA Architectural Review in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 4765(a)

(a) This section applies if the governing documents require association approval before a member may make a physical change to the member'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 d...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Assessment & Dues

Alameda County HOAs follow Civil Code 5600-5740 for assessments. Regular assessments cannot increase more than 20 percent annually, and special assessments over 5 percent of budget require member approval.

HOA Assessment Rules in Alameda County

Heavy Restrictions

California Civil Code § 5605

(b) Notwithstanding more restrictive limitations placed on the board by the governing documents, the board may not impose a regular assessment that is more than 20 percent greater than the regular assessment for the association’s preceding fiscal year or impose special assessments which in the aggregate exceed 5 percent of the budgeted gross expenses of the association for that fiscal year with...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Dispute Resolution

Alameda County HOAs must offer Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) under Civil Code 5900-5920 and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) before filing most lawsuits. Both processes are low-cost alternatives to litigation.

HOA Dispute Resolution in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 5900

(b) This article supplements, and does not replace, Article 3 (commencing with Section 5925), relating to alternative dispute resolution as a prerequisite to an enforcement action. (Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. (AB 805) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 180.)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

CC&R Enforcement

Alameda County HOAs enforce CC&Rs under Civil Code 5850-5865. Before imposing fines, associations must provide written notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a published schedule of monetary penalties.

HOA CC&R Enforcement in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Civil Code § 5855

(a) When the board is to meet to consider or impose discipline upon a member, or to impose a monetary charge as a means of reimbursing the association for costs incurred by the association in the repair of damage to the common area and facilities caused by a member or the member’s guest or tenant, the board shall notify the member in writing, by either personal delivery or individual delivery p...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗