Civil Code Insurance & Defects
Notice Before Filing Defect Suit
Chapter 11 · Construction Defect Litigation
Text current as of 2026-07-07 · Last amended by SB 326, eff. 2020-01-01
The code says CIV §6150
(a) Not later than 30 days before filing of any civil action by the association against the declarant or other developer of a common interest development for alleged damage to the common areas, alleged damage to the separate interests that the association is obligated to maintain or repair, or alleged damage to the separate interests that arises out of, or is integrally related to, damage to the common areas or separate interests that the association is obligated to maintain or repair, the board shall provide a written notice to each member of the association who appears on the records of the association when the notice is provided. This notice shall specify all of the following:
(1) That a meeting will take place to discuss problems that may lead to the filing of a civil action, in addition to the potential impacts thereof to the association and its members, including any financial impacts.
(2) The options, including civil actions, that are available to address the problems.
(3) The time and place of the meeting.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if the association has reason to believe that the applicable statute of limitations will expire before the association files the civil action, the association may give the notice, as described above, within 30 days after the filing of the action.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 207, Sec. 3. (SB 326) Effective January 1, 2020.)
How courts have read this
Editorial summaries — not the court’s words.
- Branches Neighborhood Corp. v. CalAtlantic Group, Inc. 26 Cal. App. 5th 743 · 2018 Upheld a CC&R member-vote precondition to developer suits — later voided by statute.
central to this opinion — cited 10×
decided before the current text (eff. 2020-01-01, SB 326)
- Seahaus La Jolla Owners Ass'n v. Superior Court 224 Cal. App. 4th 754 · 2014 Counsel’s litigation-update briefings to owners stay privileged.
central to this opinion — cited 7×
decided before the current text (eff. 2020-01-01, SB 326)
- Smart Corner Owners Assn. v. CJUF Smart Corner LLC 64 Cal. App. 5th 439 · 2021 Developer-drafted pre-suit member-vote requirements can’t block construction-defect claims.
cited 3×
- Ruffier v. Volcano Hills Road Maintenance Assn. 2026 A board cannot raise regular assessments without member approval or budget compliance.
mentioned in passing
- In re: Maria A. Basave De Guillen 604 B.R. 826 · 2019 Assessment liens secure only the amounts stated in the recorded notice.
mentioned in passing
decided before the current text (eff. 2020-01-01, SB 326)
- Almanor Lakeside Villas Owners Ass'n. v. Carson 246 Cal. App. 4th 761 · 2016 Prevailing-party status turns on litigation objectives, not net dollars.
mentioned in passing
decided before the current text (eff. 2020-01-01, SB 326)
- Rancho Mirage Country Club Homeowners Ass'n v. Hazelbaker 2 Cal. App. 5th 252 · 2016 Mandatory HOA fee-shifting reaches suits enforcing ADR settlement agreements.
mentioned in passing
decided before the current text (eff. 2020-01-01, SB 326)