AB 2579 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Common interest developments: discipline.

Summary
Existing law, the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, governs the formation and operation of common interest developments. Existing law requires that a common interest development be managed by an association. Existing law requires the board of an association, if the association adopts or has adopted a policy imposing any monetary penalty on any association member for a violation of the governing documents, to adopt and distribute to each member a schedule of the monetary penalties that may be assessed for those violations, as provided. Existing law prohibits a monetary penalty for a violation of the governing documents from exceeding the lesser of the amount stated in the schedule that is in effect at the time of the violation or $100 per violation, except if the violation might result in an adverse health or safety impact on the common area or another association member's property, as specified. This bill would also except if the violation is contained in a specified list developed and published by the Department of Real Estate. In this regard, the bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2028, to develop and publish a list of specified violations for which an association may impose a monetary penalty that is greater than $100, as specified. The bill would require the list to be limited to violations that are clearly defined and address significant risks to health, safety, or the integrity of the common interest development. The bill would require the department, in developing the list, to identify categories of violations that pose heightened risks to health, safety, or the integrity of the common interest development, including violations that create a risk of fire or other life safety hazards, as specified, and before finalizing the list, to conduct a stakeholder engagement process to solicit input from a broad range of interested parties, as specified. The bill would require the department to release a draft list of violations for public comment and to consider comments before finalizing the list of violations, as prescribed. The bill would require the department to publish the final list of violations on the department's internet website. Existing law requires the board to notify a member in writing at least 10 days before a meeting to consider or impose discipline or a monetary charge on a member, as specified. Existing law requires the board to give a member the opportunity to cure a violation prior to the meeting, and prohibits the board from imposing discipline if the member cures the violation prior to the meeting or, if curing the violation would take longer than the time between the notice provided and the meeting, the member provides financial commitment to cure the violation. This bill would specify that a member engaged in habitual, repeated, or continuing violations is not deemed to have cured a violation simply because the violation is not occurring at the time of the hearing.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Last action May 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

02/20/26 - Introduced 03/16/26 - Amended Assembly · 9 edits · Mar 16, 2026
MAJOR
AB 2579 was dramatically expanded in the Assembly from a minor nonsubstantive edit to Civil Code Section 3281 into a comprehensive bill governing how homeowners' associations and common interest developments can impose monetary penalties and discipline on members. The amended version adds detailed rules capping fines at $100 per violation (with specific exceptions for safety hazards), requires written findings at open board meetings before enhanced penalties, and establishes procedural protections including 10-day advance notice, cure opportunities, and dispute resolution rights.
SCOPE

The bill now amends Sections 5850 and 5855 of the Civil Code (Davis-Stirling Act) in addition to Section 3281, expanding its scope from a nonsubstantive civil code edit to a full framework for HOA/condo association penalty and discipline procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Associations must adopt and distribute a schedule of monetary penalties to all members. Penalties are capped at the lesser of the scheduled amount or $100 per violation, with no late charges or interest allowed on penalties.

Boards must give members at least 10 days written notice before a disciplinary meeting, including the date, time, place, nature of the alleged violation, and the member's right to attend and address the board. The board must meet in executive session if the member requests it.

A new provision states that a member engaged in habitual, repeated, or continuing violations is not deemed to have cured a violation simply because it is not occurring at the time of the hearing, closing a potential loophole for repeat offenders.

ELIGIBILITY

Boards may exceed the $100 cap only for violations that may result in adverse health or safety impacts, specifically enumerated: fire/environmental hazards (flammable storage, fire lane obstruction, disabled fire equipment, smoking, open flames, chemical discharge, fire hardening violations, drones), architectural issues (unauthorized construction, non-compliant wiring, removed safety features), animal issues (dangerous or vicious pets, uncontrolled pets, pet waste, prohibited animals), maintenance issues (stockpiling, trash accumulation, mold, standing water), common area damages (tree removal, dangerous vehicle use, fluid dumping, personal items in common areas, toys/sports equipment placement, obstructed tree limbs), violent acts (physical threats, weapon discharge), and short-term rental violations of 30 days or less.

Members have the right to cure a violation before the disciplinary meeting. The board cannot impose discipline if the member cures the violation or, if curing would take longer than the notice period, provides a financial commitment to cure.

ENFORCEMENT

Before imposing a penalty above $100, the board must make a written finding specifying the adverse health or safety impact at a board meeting open to members.

If the board and member disagree after the meeting, the member may request internal dispute resolution under Section 5910. If they agree, the board must draft a written resolution signed by both parties that is judicially enforceable. The board must provide written notification of any disciplinary decision within 14 days, and no disciplinary action is effective unless all procedural requirements are met.

TECHNICAL

The original nonsubstantive change to Section 3281 (removing the redundant 'Every' before 'A person') is retained but renumbered as Section 3 of the bill rather than Section 1.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
4
Committee
7
Amendments
3
May 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
lower
May 13, 2026
Committee
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Joint Rule 10.5.
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
lower
Apr 28, 2026
Introduced
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 28).
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on H. & C.D. Read second time and amended.
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Committee
Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and JUD.
lower
Feb 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Cottie Petrie-Norris
Cottie Petrie-Norris
DDemocratic
CA
73