Civil Code § 799.12. Mobilehomes; Covenants Restricting Solar Energy Systems Are Void

California Civil Code  >  Civil Code §799.12. Mobilehomes; Covenants Restricting Solar Energy Systems Are Void

 (a) Any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any rental agreement or other instrument affecting the tenancy of a homeowner or resident in a subdivision, cooperative, or condominium for mobilehomes, or resident-owned mobilehome park that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system on the mobilehome or the site, lot, or space on which the mobilehome is located is void and unenforceable.

(b) Ownership or management shall not prohibit or restrict a homeowner or resident from installing or using a solar energy system on a mobilehome or the site, lot, or space on which the mobilehome is located. Ownership or management shall not do any of the following:

(1) Charge any fee to a homeowner or resident in connection with the installation or use of a solar energy system.

(2) Require a homeowner or resident to use a specific solar installation contractor or solar energy system or product.

(3) Claim or receive any rebate, credit, or commission in connection with a homeowner’s or resident’s installation or use of a solar energy system.

(c) This section does not apply to imposition of reasonable restrictions on solar energy systems. However, it is the policy of the state to promote and encourage the use of solar energy systems and to remove obstacles thereto. Accordingly, reasonable restrictions on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits.

(d) (1) For purposes of this section, “solar energy system” has the same meaning as defined in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5.

(2) A solar energy system shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities, consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

(3) Solar energy systems and solar collectors used for heating water shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined in the California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.

(4) A solar energy system for producing electricity shall also meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, if applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.

(e) This section shall not apply to a master-meter park. “Master-meter park” as used in this section means “master-meter customer” as used in Section 739.5 of the Public Utilities Code.

(f) Any entity that willfully violates this section shall be liable to the homeowner, resident, or other party for actual damages occasioned thereby, and shall pay a civil penalty to the homeowner, resident, or other party in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(g) In any action to enforce compliance with this section, the prevailing party shall be awarded reasonable attorney’s fees. [2024]

 

Civil Code §1940.45. Display of Religious Items on Entry Door or Entry Door Frame

California Civil Code  > Civil Code §1940.45. Display of Religious Items on Entry Door or Entry Door Frame

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a property owner shall not enforce or adopt a restrictive covenant or any other restriction that prohibits one or more religious items from being displayed or affixed on any entry door or entry door frame of a dwelling.

(b) To the extent permitted by Article 1, Section 4, of the California Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, this section does not prohibit the enforcement or adoption of a restrictive covenant or other restriction prohibiting the display or affixing of a religious item on any entry door or entry door frame to a dwelling that:

(1) Threatens the public health or safety.

(2) Hinders the opening or closing of any entry door.

(3) Violates any federal, state, or local law.

(4) Contains graphics, language or any display that is obscene or otherwise illegal.

(5) Individually or in combination with any other religious item displayed or affixed on any entry door or door frame that has a total size greater than 36 by 12 square inches, provided it does not exceed the size of the door.

(c) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Property owner” means all of the following:

(A) An association, as that term is defined in Section 4080.

(B) A board, as that term is defined in Section 4085.

(C) A member, as that term is defined in Section 4160.

(D) A landlord, as that term is defined in Section 1940.8.5.

(E) A sublessor.

(2) “Religious item” means an item displayed because of sincerely held religious beliefs. [2019]

Civil Code § 798.3. Mobilehome Defined

California Civil Code  > Civil Code §798.3. Mobilehome Defined

(a) “Mobilehome” is a structure designed for human habitation and for being moved on a street or highway under permit pursuant to Section 35790 of the Vehicle Code. Mobilehome includes a manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code, and a mobilehome, as defined in Section 18008 of the Health and Safety Code, but, except as provided in subdivision (b), does not include a recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 799.29 of this code and Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code or a commercial coach as defined in Section 18001.8 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) “Mobilehome,” for purposes of this chapter, other than Section 798.73, also includes trailers and other recreational vehicles of all types defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, other than motor homes, truck campers, and camping trailers, which are used for human habitation if the occupancy criteria of either paragraph (1) or (2), as follows, are met:

(1) The trailer or other recreational vehicle occupies a mobilehome site in the park, on November 15, 1992, under a rental agreement with a term of one month or longer, and the trailer or other recreational vehicle occupied a mobilehome site in the park prior to January 1, 1991.

(2) The trailer or other recreational vehicle occupies a mobilehome site in the park for nine or more continuous months commencing on or after November 15, 1992.

“Mobilehome” does not include a trailer or other recreational vehicle located in a recreational vehicle park subject to Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 799.20). [2005]

Civil Code § 714.3. Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units

California Civil Code  > Civil Code §714.3. Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units

(a) Any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in real property that either effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use that meets the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 66314) of Chapter 13 or Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) of Chapter 13 of Division of Title 7 of the Government Code is void and unenforceable.

(b) This section does not apply to provisions that impose reasonable restrictions on accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units. For purposes of this subdivision, “reasonable restrictions” means restrictions that do not unreasonably increase the cost to construct, effectively prohibit the construction of, or extinguish the ability to otherwise construct, an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit consistent with the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 66314) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7  of the Government Code. [2024]

 

Civil Code § 51.3.5. Intergenerational Housing Developments

California Civil Code  > Civil Code §51.3.5. Intergenerational Housing Developments

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that this section is essential to establish and preserve specially designed, accessible, intergenerational housing for senior citizens. There are senior citizens who need special living environments and services and benefit from intergenerational housing environments, and find that there is an inadequate supply of this type of housing in the state.

(b) An intergenerational housing development may be established to provide intergenerational housing consisting of units for senior citizens, caregivers, or transition age youths if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) (A) At least 80 percent of the occupied dwelling units are occupied by at least one senior citizen. This requirement shall commence when at least 25 percent of the units are occupied. A dwelling unit is occupied by at least one senior citizen if, on the date the exemption for housing designed for intergenerational housing is claimed, one of the following conditions is satisfied:

(i) At least one occupant of the dwelling unit is a senior citizen.

(ii) If the dwelling unit is temporarily vacant, at least one of the occupants immediately prior to the date on which the unit was temporarily vacated was a senior citizen.

(B) Up to 20 percent of the occupied dwelling units are occupied by at least one caregiver or transition age youth. A dwelling unit is occupied by at least one caregiver or transition age youth if, on the date the exemption for housing designed for intergenerational housing is claimed, one of the following conditions is satisfied:

(i) At least one occupant of the dwelling unit is a caregiver or transition age youth.

(ii) If the dwelling unit is temporarily vacant, at least one of the occupants immediately prior to the date on which the unit was temporarily vacant was a caregiver or transition age youth.

(2) The development is affordable to lower income households as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3) (A) If a unit that is identified for occupancy by a caregiver or transition age youth ceases to house a caregiver or transition age youth, the owner, board of directors, or other governing body may require, at their discretion, the household in that unit to cease residing in the development upon receipt of a minimum of six months written notice, for the sole purpose of ensuring that the unit may be made available to a qualifying caregiver or transition age youth. This action shall not constitute a violation of Section 51 or of Article 2 (commencing with Section 12955) of Chapter 6 of Part 2.8 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code (California Fair Employment and Housing Act).

(B) The housing facility or community shall not evict or terminate the lease of a family with children in order to comply with the requirement that at least 80 percent of the occupied units be occupied by at least one senior citizen. This provision does not otherwise alter or affect applicable protections for tenants.

(C) The covenants, conditions, and restrictions and other documents or written policy for the development shall set forth the limitations on occupancy, residency, or use consistent with this section.

(4) Housing established pursuant to this section shall comply with all applicable fair housing laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) and the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601).

(5) Notwithstanding any other law, any occupied dwelling units within an intergenerational housing development established pursuant to this section that are occupied by caregivers or transition age youth as described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall not count toward the housing type goal for seniors under the qualified allocation plan adopted by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee in accordance with Section 50199.14 of the Health and Safety Code.

(c) This section specifically creates a state policy supporting intergenerational housing for senior citizens, caregivers, and transition age youth, as described in Section 42(g)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, and, further, permits developers in receipt of local or state funds or tax credits designated for affordable rental housing to restrict occupancy to senior citizens, caregivers, and transition age youth, including permitting developers in receipt of tax credits designated for affordable rental housing to retain the right to prioritize and restrict occupancy, so long as that housing does not violate any other applicable laws.

(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Caregiver” means a person responsible for meeting the daily care needs of a senior citizen, or a person hired to provide live-in, long-term, or terminal health care to a qualifying resident, or a family member of the qualifying resident providing that care. For purposes of this section, the care provided shall be substantial in nature and shall include either assistance with necessary daily activities or medical treatment, or both.

(2) “Senior citizen” or “resident” means a person 55 years of age or older.

(3) “Transition age youth” means a person who is 18 to 24 years of age, inclusive, and who is either of the following:

(A) A current or former foster youth who has been adjudged a ward or dependent of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 300, 601, or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(B) A homeless youth or former homeless youth, who has met the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 definition of “homeless children and youths,” as that term is defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. [2021]

Civil Code § 8119. Association as an Agent of Owners for Mechanics’ Lien Notices

California Civil Code  >  Civil Code §8119. Association as an Agent of Owners for Mechanics’ Lien Notices

(a) With respect to a work of improvement on a common area within a common interest development: (1) The association is deemed to be an agent of the owners of separate interests in the common interest development for all notices and claims required by this part. (2) If any provision of this part requires the delivery or service of a notice or claim to or on the owner of common area property, the notice or claim may be delivered to or served on the association.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the terms “association,” “common area,” “common interest development,” and “separate interest” have the meanings provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 4075) of Chapter 1 of Part 5 and Article 2 (commencing with Section 6526) of Chapter 1 of Part 5.3. [2017]

Civil Code § 799.10. Display of Political Signs

California Civil Code  >  Civil Code §799.10. Display of Political Signs
A resident may not be prohibited from displaying a political campaign sign relating to a candidate for election to public office or to the initiative, referendum, or recall process in the window or on the side of a manufactured home or mobilehome, or within the site on which the home is located or installed. The size of the face of a political sign may not exceed six square feet, and the sign may not be displayed in excess of a period of time from 90 days prior to an election to 15 days following the election, unless a local ordinance within the jurisdiction where the manufactured home or mobilehome subject to this article is located imposes a more restrictive period of time for the display of such a sign. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of Part 5 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 4, relating to the size and display of political campaign signs, the provisions of this section shall prevail. [2012]

Civil Code § 799.11. Improvements to Accommodate the Disabled

California Civil Code  >  Civil Code §799.11. Improvements to Accommodate the Disabled
The ownership or management shall not prohibit a homeowner or resident from installing accommodations for the disabled on the home or the site, lot, or space on which the mobilehome is located, including, but not limited to, ramps or handrails on the outside of the home, as long as the installation of those facilities complies with code, as determined by an enforcement agency, and those facilities are installed pursuant to a permit, if required for the installation, issued by the enforcement agency. The management may require that the accommodations installed pursuant to this section be removed by the current homeowner at the time the mobilehome is removed from the park or pursuant to a written agreement between the current homeowner and the management prior to the completion of the resale of the mobilehome in place in the park. This section is not exclusive and shall not be construed to condition, affect, or supersede any other provision of law or regulation relating to accessibility or accommodation for the disabled. [2008]

Civil Code § 801.5. Solar Easements; Solar Energy Systems Defined

California Civil Code  >  Civil Code §801.5. Solar Easements; Solar Energy Systems Defined

(a)        The right of receiving sunlight as specified in subdivision 18 of Section 801 shall be referred to as a solar easement. “Solar easement” means the right of receiving sunlight across real property of another for any solar energy system.

As used in this section, “solar energy system” means either of the following that is designed to serve one utility retail customer on the same property, more than one utility retail customer on the same property, one utility retail customer on the same, adjacent, or contiguous properties, or more than one utility retail customer on the same, adjacent or contiguous properties, and is not designed for procurement of electricity by an electric utility:

(1)  Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.

(2)  A structural design feature, including the following:

(A) Solar racking, solar mounting, and elevated solar support structures, including, but not limited to, solar carports, solar shade structures, solar awnings, solar canopies, and solar patio covers, regardless of whether the feature is on the ground or on a building. Elevated solar support structures include the aboveground superstructure and associated foundation elements that support the solar collectors or other solar energy devices described in paragraph (1).

(B) Any design feature, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.

(C) Any photovoltaic device or technology that is integrated into a building, including, but not limited to, photovoltaic windows, siding, and roofing shingles or tiles.

(b)  Any instrument creating a solar easement shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1)  A description of the dimensions of the easement expressed in measurable terms, such as vertical or horizontal angles measured in degrees, or the hours of the day on specified dates during which direct sunlight to a specified surface of a solar collector, device, or structural design feature may not be obstructed, or a combination of these descriptions.

(2)  The restrictions placed upon vegetation, structures, and other objects that would impair or obstruct the passage of sunlight through the easement.

(3)  The terms or conditions, if any, under which the easement may be revised or terminated.

(c) As used in this section, “electric utility” means an electrical corporation as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code or a local publicly owned electric utility as defined in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code. [2021]

Civil Code § 799.4. Approval of Mobilehome Purchase

California Civil Code  >  Civil Code §799.4. Approval of Mobilehome Purchase
The ownership or management may require the right to prior approval of the purchaser of a mobilehome that will remain in the subdivision, cooperative, or condominium for mobilehomes, or resident-owned mobilehome park and that the selling resident, or his or her agent give notice of the sale to the ownership or management before the close of the sale. Approval cannot be withheld if the purchaser has the financial ability to pay the fees and charges of the subdivision, cooperative, or condominium for mobilehomes, or resident-owned mobilehome park unless the ownership or management reasonably determines that, based on the purchaser’s prior residences, he or she will not comply with the rules and regulations of the subdivision, cooperative, or condominium for mobilehomes, or resident-owned mobilehome park. [1997]