AB 1152: Impacts on Junior ADUs (“JADUs”)
This bill modified the law regarding when an owner is required to occupy the single-family residence to which a JADU is attached. Previously, an owner was required to occupy the main residence; now owners are only required to occupy the main home if the JADU shares a bathroom with the main home. Additionally, the law provides that JADU rental terms must be for a minimum of 30 days.
SB 410: SB 326 Reports
This bill classified reports created in response to Civil Code 5551 (i.e., SB 326) inspections as “association records” subject to member review and copying upon request. The reports are also now included on the list of documents owners must provide to prospective purchasers. Finally, the SB 326 report must now include a front page that provides a summary of the inspection details.
SB 547: Property Insurance Cancellation.
Insurers are now prohibited from canceling or refusing to renew a policy of commercial property insurance in any ZIP code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency AND based solely on the fact that the insured structure is located in an area in which a wildfire has occurred.
SB 625: Rebuilding after natural disaster.
In response to the January 2025 fires in Southern California, the law now provides that, ,if an owner wishes to reconstruct a residential structure that was “substantially similar” to the prior residence, governing documents may not prohibit such action and associations must provide expedited review of applications and maintain clear and timely communication with such owners during the process.
SB 770: EVCS Insurance Requirements.
This bill removed one of the few protections offered to associations when owners wish to install electric vehicle charging stations on the common area. Unfortunately, owners are no longer legally required to name the association as an additional insured on their liability insurance policies. This change eliminates the association’s ability to access an owner’s insurance funds if their EVCS causes damage to a person or other property.
AB 130: Fines & Enforcement Procedures.
This was the BIG law from the 2025 legislative session; it was enacted on an emergency basis so it has been on the books since July 1, 2025. The bill significantly changed an association’s fine and enforcement ability for the worse. Fines are now limited to the lesser of the amount set forth in an association’s fine policy OR $100 “per violation.” The only exceptions to the $100 limit are those violations which pose an adverse health of safety risk to the common area or another owner’s property. Even then, the Board must make a written finding of the violation posing such a risk before a fine in excess of $100 can be imposed. The bill also added new procedural requirements prior to imposing a fine, including participation in IDR if requested by the owner, eliminated the right of an association to fine an owner for any violation which is remedied prior to the hearing.
HGCT Attorneys in the Wild
HGCT Attorney Ellen R. Schuster to Present at CACM NorCal Law Seminar
On March 13, 2026, our own Ellen R. Schuster will be speaking on a panel at the upcoming 2026 CACM SoCal Law Seminar, presenting “Legislative Update and New Case Law,” covering current legal developments, emerging legislation anticipated in 2026, and interesting case studies for panel discussion. We are especially proud to see Ellen on the panel— she is not only a rising star in community association law, but already shining brightly in the field.
HGCT’s Dynamic Duo in Action
HGCT’s own Amy K. Tinetti and Zer Iyer will be attending the 2026 Collins Management Board Appreciation and Education Seminar this Saturday, March 14.
We are always proud to see Amy and Zer representing HGCT while continuing to stay at the forefront of developments affecting the communities we serve.