{"id":18071,"date":"2026-06-26T15:01:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18071"},"modified":"2026-06-26T15:01:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:01:18","slug":"hoa-homefront-tips-toward-reasonable-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18071","title":{"rendered":"HOA Homefront: Tips toward reasonable rules"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Adopting and enforcing community rules is an important board responsibility.\u00a0 Developers provide CC&Rs and bylaws (usually fairly boilerplate) when creating HOAs, but often do not provide operating rules. So, it is up to volunteer boards to create necessary and reasonable rules for their communities.<\/p>\n

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Rules can cover many important topics, including usage of parking and recreational amenities, and architectural and landscaping standards. Rules should be tailored to the community\u2019s needs, in addition to the five rules topics required by Civil Code: Internal dispute resolution procedures, elections, delinquency enforcement, architectural modification application processing, and a schedule of fines. [All discussed in last week\u2019s column].<\/p>\n

Rules must be written, per Civil Code Section 4350(a). Occasionally, associations will describe to me their \u201chouse rules,\u201d which are unwritten. Unwritten rules are traditions, not \u201crules,\u201d and are unenforceable. Also, remember that rules must be adopted or modified using the process prescribed by Civil Code 4360.<\/p>\n

Keep them simple:<\/strong> Draft rules in straightforward language. Rules should be clear and concise. Avoid overly complex rules, because most likely the manager, board and homeowners alike will not remember all the technicalities in a lengthy complicated rule set.<\/p>\n

Stay positive:<\/strong> Consider starting each rule section with a positive introductory statement. Beginning a section of rules with a short explanation about the rules\u2019 purpose makes a more positive statement to the community \u2014 and hopefully increases community compliance and cooperation. Most people object to being told \u201cbecause I said so,\u201d regardless of age, so explaining the importance of the rules demonstrates respect.<\/p>\n

No kid rules:<\/strong> Avoid separate rules for children. Except for designated senior communities, rules that single out children for different treatment violate state and federal Fair Housing laws. Someday, perhaps, the law will allow reasonable safety standards for children; but presently it does not. So, for example, do not ban CHILDREN skateboarding in hallways, just ban all skateboarding in hallways.<\/p>\n

Some broad terms acceptable:<\/strong>\u00a0 It is unnecessary to try to define every possible issue or manner of non-neighborly behavior. It\u2019s OK for rules to use words such as \u201creasonable\u201d and \u201cnuisance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Legal review:<\/strong> Before announcing a proposed rule change to the members, send it to the association attorney for a brief review. Attorneys are trained to draft and edit documents and may spot legal problems with a proposed rule.<\/p>\n

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\n<\/div>\n

Check other governing documents:<\/strong> Confirm the proposed rule is consistent with the CC&Rs and bylaws. Per Civil Code 4205, rules may not contradict the law, CC&Rs, or bylaws. However, if something in the CC&Rs or bylaws violates current law, the rules can still follow the law.<\/p>\n

Ready to enforce:<\/strong> When considering a proposed new rule, confirm it is something the board is able and willing to enforce. It is better not to have a rule than to have rules that are not enforced.<\/p>\n

Fines:<\/strong> When establishing or updating the association\u2019s fine schedule, remember that the same fine amount may not work for all rule violations. Also, fines must comply with the limits of revised Civil Code 5850.<\/p>\n

Opposition:<\/strong> If substantial member opposition to a proposed rule is expressed during open forum, the board should consider whether to revisit the proposal and restart the rule adoption process, to account for that input.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Successful communities adopt and consistently enforce necessary, clear, and reasonable rules.<\/p>\n

Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and Partner of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice.\u00a0Submit questions to Kelly@roattorneys.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Unwritten rules are traditions, not \u201crules,\u201d and are unenforceable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2113,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion-columnist","category-represents-the-opinion-of-the-author-who-is-either-a-paid-columnist-or-an-unpaid-guest-columnist"],"yoast_head":"\nHOA Homefront: Tips toward reasonable rules - Silicon Valley Moving Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18071\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"HOA Homefront: Tips toward reasonable rules - 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