California HOA boards urged to hold public meetings for transparency

CalMatters reported that homeowners associations (HOAs) in California often operate like local governments, charging fees and providing services beyond what cities and counties offer, yet they typically make decisions behind closed doors.

William Fulton, a UC San Diego professor and condo owner in San Diego, shared his experience of limited transparency, noting that his HOA board rarely holds open meetings and communicates mainly through email and curated events rather than full board meetings.

The Davis-Stirling Act, which governs HOAs in California, does not require boards to disclose important information such as lawsuits involving the HOA, leaving members in the dark about key decisions affecting their investments.

Assembly Bill 1184, introduced by Assemblymember Joe Patterson, a Republican from Rocklin, sought to mandate greater transparency by requiring HOA boards to reveal more information to homeowners. The bill came close to passing this year but did not become law.

HOA board members often emphasize their volunteer status, but as CalMatters points out, HOAs function increasingly like local governments, providing essential services and thus warranting greater public accountability.