California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag displays, drought-tolerant landscaping, EV charging stations, and most noncommercial signs, even where local city rules are silent.
Several statewide rules trump conflicting CC&Rs. Solar: Civil Code sections 714, 714.1, and 4746 protect a member's right to install solar energy systems against HOA bans. U.S. flag: Civil Code section 4705 provides no governing document "shall limit or prohibit" display of the United States flag. Landscaping: section 4735 voids rules prohibiting low-water plants or artificial turf and bars fines for reducing irrigation during a declared drought. EV charging: section 4745 makes any provision that prohibits or unreasonably restricts an EV charging station "void and unenforceable." Signs: section 4710 bars prohibitions on noncommercial signs, flags, and banners, subject to size limits. California has no statute compelling HOAs to permit ADUs, so HOA ADU restrictions may still apply.
An HOA rule conflicting with these statutes is void and unenforceable. Owners who prevail in enforcement actions (e.g., flag under section 4705, EV charging under section 4745) may recover reasonable attorney's fees, and section 4745 allows civil penalties up to $1,000.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Redwood City, CA
Redwood City prohibits construction noise in residential areas outside of 7 AM–8 PM weekdays. Construction on weekends and holidays is prohibited if it excee...
Redwood City, CA
Redwood City prohibits dogs from creating excessive noise that disturbs neighbors under Chapter 5 (Animals and Fowl) and the general noise ordinance. Animal ...
Redwood City, CA
Redwood City regulates noise under City Code Chapter 24. General quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM–7 AM Friday through Saturday. O...
Redwood City, CA
Commercial vehicles over 6 feet high or 20 feet long are prohibited from parking on public streets or private property in residential areas of Redwood City. ...
Redwood City, CA
Redwood City has residential permit parking zones with 2-hour limits Monday–Friday 7 AM–6 PM. Three permits per household are issued. Street sweeping restric...
Redwood City, CA
Redwood City requires all vehicles to be parked in legal paved parking spaces on residential property. Blocking sidewalks is prohibited. Garage conversions t...
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