HOA software for California self-managed communities

Most California planned community homeowner associations are governed by the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code §§ 4000–6150). Davis-Stirling is one of the most comprehensive HOA statutes in the country — it covers everything from board elections and member voting to assessment collection, disclosure requirements, architectural review, enforcement procedures, and open records rights. California condominium associations are also governed by Davis-Stirling (not a separate condo act, as in some states). If your community was formed before 2014, note that Davis-Stirling was extensively reorganized and renumbered in 2014. Hivepoint is designed for self-managed HOA communities — not licensed professional community managers.

Under Civil Code § 5300, California HOAs must distribute an Annual Budget Report to all members 30 to 90 days before the start of each fiscal year. The report is substantial — it includes the pro forma operating budget, a summary of the reserve study and current funding status, assessment information, insurance policy summary, and several disclosures about board authority and member rights. Missing the distribution deadline or distributing an incomplete report is a compliance failure. Hivepoint stores the completed report as a document and can make it available to all homeowners through the resident portal — but the board (or your CPA/attorney) is responsible for preparing the report itself in compliance with Davis-Stirling requirements.

California requires HOAs to conduct reserve studies and maintain adequate reserve funding — and the reserve disclosure requirements in the Annual Budget Report are among the most detailed in the country. Hivepoint tracks reserve fund contributions and balances by category so your records match what a reserve study specifies. What Hivepoint does not replace: the reserve study itself must be prepared or reviewed by a licensed reserve analyst or qualified professional as required by Civil Code § 5550. Hivepoint helps you track execution against the reserve plan; the reserve study preparation is a professional service outside our scope.

California has some of the most detailed HOA election rules in the country (Civil Code §§ 5100–5145). Self-managed boards must follow specific procedures for ballot distribution, voter qualification, inspector of elections requirements, ballot secrecy, and the 30-day notice period. Electronic voting is permitted under certain conditions. Hivepoint's voting feature supports board resolution recording and the vote record-keeping that comes after an election. The logistics of running a compliant California election — especially the inspector of elections requirement and secret ballot procedures — often benefit from consultation with a California HOA attorney or a professional election service.

California requires community association managers to hold a license through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) if they are managing associations for compensation. If your board self-manages — meaning volunteer board members handle the management functions themselves without paying an outside manager — no license is required. Hivepoint is software for those self-managed boards. If you decide to hire a professional manager in California, that person or company must hold a valid California real estate license. Hivepoint is not a substitute for a licensed California community association manager.

California HOAs in high-risk fire areas face additional obligations around defensible space, vegetation management, and homeowner notifications. From a records management perspective, Hivepoint helps boards document inspection notices, compliance records for landscaping requirements, and homeowner communications about fire safety rules. Hivepoint does not provide fire risk assessment or compliance verification — those are physical inspection and legal matters. But having organized records of what notices were sent, when, and to whom is essential if a compliance issue or claim ever arises.