California Civil Code

§ 5235

CIV § 5235 Effective Jan 1, 2013Div. 4 · Part 5 · Ch. 6 · Art. 5

Statute text

(a)A member may bring an action to enforce that member’s right to inspect and copy the association records. If a court finds that the association unreasonably withheld access to the association records, the court shall award the member reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, and may assess a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for the denial of each separate written request.

(b)A cause of action under this section may be brought in small claims court if the amount of the demand does not exceed the jurisdiction of that court.

(c)A prevailing association may recover any costs if the court finds the action to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.

Legislative history

Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. (AB 805) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 180.