By: JMPC Team
Sep 15, 2025
California’s New $100 HOA Fine Cap (AB 130): What Boards in LA County Need to Know
Estimated reading time: ~5-6 minutes.
On June 30, 2025, California approved AB 130—effective immediately—changing how HOAs fine for rule violations. Most fines are now capped at $100 per violation, with a narrow health/safety exception that requires a written board finding in an open meeting. The law also adds a member right to cure and shortens the post-hearing notice window. Here’s how LA County boards can adapt—fast. LegiScan
What changed—and why it matters
- $100 cap on most fines. Associations cannot impose monetary penalties above the lesser of their adopted schedule or $100 per violation. LegiScan
- Health/Safety exception. Boards may exceed $100 only if a violation “may result in an adverse health or safety impact” on common area or another member’s property, and the board must adopt a written finding in an open meeting before applying a higher amount. LegiScan
- No late fees or interest on fines. AB 130 forbids tacking on late charges or interest to monetary penalties. Adjust your ledgers and statements accordingly. LegiScan
- Effective now. AB 130 was signed June 30, 2025 and took effect immediately. (Pre-June 30 fines are not retroactively affected, per legal commentary.) LegiScan+1
Your 7-step compliance checklist (do this next)
- Update your fine schedule
Revise the schedule to reflect “up to $100 per violation” and include a separate row noting the health/safety exception requires a written finding in an open meeting. Publish with your Annual Policy Statement and on owner portals. LegiScan - Define “health/safety” examples
In a board policy (not in CC&Rs), list illustrative scenarios (e.g., blocked fire lanes, dangerous balcony work, pool gate propped open). Add the meeting-finding step to your agenda template. LegiScan - Build a “cure before hearing” workflow
Owners must get a chance to cure before the hearing; if cure needs more time, they can give a financial commitment to cure. Map this into your violation letters (templates). LegiScan+1 - Tighten your hearing timeline
- 10-day notice minimum before the meeting.
- Decision notice due within 14 days (down from 15).
Update task checklists in your management software. LegiScan
- Add IDR “off-ramp”
If there’s no agreement after the hearing, the member may request Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR); if there is agreement, produce a written resolution signed by both parties—it’s judicially enforceable. LegiScan+1 - Turn off late fees/interest on fines
Ensure accounting does not accrue late charges or interest on fines—this is now prohibited. Train staff and update statements. LegiScan - Strengthen non-fine remedies
Because $100 may not deter high-risk behavior (e.g., STRs, unapproved construction), lean on:
- Reimbursement assessments for actual costs/damages,
- Suspension of member privileges where governing documents allow,
- Architectural stop-work notices and, when appropriate, legal remedies. (Coordinate with counsel.) HOA Lawyer Blog
Pro Tip: Put a one-page “AB 130 script” on every board agenda: 1) confirm cure offer sent, 2) confirm open-meeting written finding if health/safety is alleged, 3) calendar the 14-day decision notice, and 4) log IDR availability. LegiScan
Local nuances for LA County boards
- Common “health/safety” triggers we see in LA communities: pool gate tampering, balcony repairs without permits, blocked egress in garages, hazardous construction debris, and ignition sources near brush areas. Use the exception sparingly—and only with the open-meeting written finding. LegiScan
- Communications cadence matters. With the cap in place, effectiveness shifts to faster cure outreach, transparent hearing packets, and consistent follow-through (including IDR). Legal practitioners warn the cap could weaken deterrence unless boards tighten process. HOA Lawyer Blog+1
- Training & templates. Refresh violation letters, hearing agendas, and decision letters to mirror the new statutory language (especially cure rights and the 14-day notice). LegiScan
Need help updating your fine schedule and hearing workflow?
JPMC supports HOA boards across LA County with compliant enforcement, clear owner communications, and accounting that aligns with AB 130. Let’s talk with JPMC
Deck / TL;DR
- Most HOA fines in CA are now capped at $100/violation; no late fees/interest on fines. LegiScan
- A higher fine requires a health/safety basis and a written finding in an open board meeting. LegiScan
- Members get a right to cure before the hearing; if more time is needed, they can financially commit to cure. LegiScan
- 14-day deadline to send the decision after the hearing; add IDR as the off-ramp. LegiScan
FAQs
Q: Can we still escalate fines for repeat offenders?
A: Not beyond $100 per violation, unless you meet the health/safety exception with a written finding in an open meeting. Consider non-fine remedies for repeat issues. LegiScan
Q: Do we have to offer a cure opportunity every time?
A: Yes—before the hearing. If cure needs more time, a financial commitment to cure delays discipline. Build this into your correspondence. LegiScan
Q: Can we add late fees or interest if someone ignores the fine?
A: No. AB 130 bans late charges/interest on monetary penalties. Use reimbursements and other authorized remedies instead. LegiScan
Q: When do we send the decision letter?
A: Within 14 days after the board action. Automate the deadline. LegiScan
Q: Did AB 130 change older fines we issued earlier in 2025?
A: Commentators note fines before June 30, 2025 aren’t retroactively affected—but confirm with counsel for your specific matter. Freeman Mathis & Gary
What to do next
- Adopt an AB 130 Enforcement Policy (cap, exception process, cure flow, IDR, 14-day notice).
- Retrain management staff & committee leads; update letter templates and meeting agendas.
- Schedule a JPMC consult to revise your fine schedule and communication cadence before your next hearing.
— External Sources —
[1] AB 130 (Chaptered Bill Text & Digest) — fine cap, health/safety exception, cure rights, 14-day decision notice, effective June 30, 2025. LegiScan
[2] Tinnelly Law (HOA enforcement update) — practical impacts of the $100 cap and exception; need to revise fine schedules. HOA Lawyer Blog
[3] Freeman Mathis & Gary (legal alert) — summary of key changes; note on pre-June 30 fines and operational guidance. Freeman Mathis & Gary