Kelly G. Richardson

Kelly Richardson: Good rule ideas are not enforceable unless the HOA follows a prescribed rule amendment process.

Each of these rules must be adopted following the Civil Code 4360 process, which requires the exact text of the proposed rule change to be announced at least 28 days before the board vote on the proposed changes.

Adopting and enforcing community rules is an important board responsibility. Developers provide CC&Rs and bylaws (usually fairly boilerplate) when creating HOAs, but often do not provide operating rules.

Rules should be tailored to the community's needs Adopting and enforcing community rules is an important board responsibility.

Editor's note: This is the last column in a four-part series on HOA rule recommendations.

The law does not require associations to have meeting rules, but such rules are helpful in guiding attendees and directors

California's Davis-Stirling law only permits a few topics to be discussed behind closed doors. Q: I've enjoyed and appreciated your articles in the paper.

Q: I've enjoyed and appreciated your articles in the paper. Wish more board members would read them and take your advice.

Boards should use closed sessions sparingly and only in clear compliance with the state statute.

A community in financial straits could wind up in receiverships, when a third party takes over running the HOA for an expensive hourly fee.