Martinez, CA HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)

California's Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (CA Civil Code 4000-6150) comprehensively regulates homeowner associations, condominium associations, and planned developments throughout the state, preempting most local regulation of HOA governance. Martinez does not regulate or enforce HOA rules, CC&Rs, or assessment collection. Davis-Stirling requires HOAs to adopt annual budgets, conduct reserve studies every 3 years with full updates every 6, hold open board meetings with notice under the Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900+), allow member inspection of records, and provide written annual disclosures including the assessment and reserve funding disclosure summary. Before litigation, homeowners and HOAs must generally use Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR, Civil Code 5900+) for any governance dispute, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR, Civil Code 5925+) before filing suit for enforcement of governing documents. The Civil Code caps late fees at 10 percent or $10 (whichever is greater), requires 30 days notice before most fines, and requires meet-and-confer before recording liens. Small claims court handles assessment disputes up to $10,000. The California Department of Real Estate oversees new subdivision approvals, and the Franchise Tax Board handles HOA tax matters. Complaints about HOA misconduct should be directed to an attorney or the HOA board; Martinez code enforcement has no jurisdiction.