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California Homeowners’ Associations Must Allow Politicking: SB 407 is Now Law

11/22/17

By: Jeffrey R. Cluett
On September 11, 2017, California Governor Edmund G. (“Jerry”) Brown, Jr. signed into law Senate Bill No. 407, which passed the California Senate and the California Assembly unanimously. SB 407 has been codified as California Civil Code Section 4515.

Prior Protections

California Civil Code Section 5105(a)(2) requires an association to ensure access to common area meeting space, during a campaign, at no cost, to candidates and members advocating a point of view, including views not endorsed by the board.
Similarly, Section 5105(a)(1) requires that if any candidate or member is provided access to association media, newsletters, or websites during a campaign, for purposes related to an election, the association shall provide equal access to candidates and members advocating a point of view, including those that are not endorsed by the board.

Section 4515’s Added Protections

Section 4515 adds to Section 5105’s protections. It bars associations’ governing documents from prohibiting members or residents from assembling or meeting in common areas or a member’s separate interest, during reasonable hours, for purposes related to common interest development living, association elections, legislation, election to public office, or the initiative, referendum, or recall processes, or for social and educational purposes.  This includes inviting public officials and candidates for office to meet with members, residents, and their invitees, canvassing and petitioning members, and distributing, without prior permission, information about common interest living, association elections, legislation, election to public office, or the initiative, referendum, and recall processes.
It also prohibits a member or resident from being required to pay a fee, make a deposit, obtain liability insurance, or pay the premium or deductible on the association’s insurance policy(ies) to use the common area for these activities.
It also authorizes one prevented by an association or its agent from engaging in these activities to bring a civil or small claims action to enjoin the enforcement of a governing document that violates Section 4015. It also authorizes the court to assess a civil penalty of not more than $500.
This law gives community interest associations attributes of public spaces for members, residents, and invitees. Indeed, the Senate Judiciary Committee analogized common areas to public spaces: “Just as with municipalities, CIDs are marked by common areas, be they streets, sidewalks, park, open courtyards, clubhouses, or common rooms.”  According to its author, “SB 407 would protect the political free speech rights of the 25% of Californians that live in common interest developments by prohibiting HOAs from creating community rules that disallow owners or residents from contacting others for the purpose of informing them about any issue that is the subject of public or association legislation of rule-making.”

Unintended Consequences?

While Section 4515 broadens members’ rights to expression, it may open homeowner associations to disruptive or offensive activities. Under Section 4515, a member or resident could hold demonstrations or marches.  Section 4515 appears to say that common interest associations could not prevent them.  While residents may applaud the increased speech and assembly protections, we foresee disputes arising from activity that association members find troubling or even offensive, but which Section 4515 appears to protect.

Beware of Potential Liability

Common interest development associations should ensure that their governing documents comply with Section 4515. If they do not, they should not enforce those provisions that do not comply with Section 4515.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jeff Cluett at jcluett@fmglaw.com.