CaliforniaCalifornia adds limits on association bans on home cooling systems
The signed law says associations must let members use cooling systems in their own homes unless the work breaks a law or lacks a required permit.
What it does
Association rules and design guidelines cannot block cooling systems that meet building codes. Deeds and other property agreements cannot block systems that meet health and safety rules.
Associations cannot charge members cooling-system fees or choose their system or installer in their own homes. They may stop work that breaks a law or lacks a required permit.
An association that deliberately breaks these rules must pay for losses it causes and a penalty of up to $2,000. A member who wins a lawsuit can recover legal fees and court costs.
Argument forMembers could choose a cooling system that meets safety rules without paying association fees or using an installer the association selects.
Argument againstCooling systems that affect shared areas could cause damage and lead to disputes over what members must repair.
More detail
The law makes certain cooling-system bans in community rules and property agreements unenforceable. This covers association rules and design guidelines, plus deeds and other documents affecting a property's sale or ownership. Association rules cannot block systems that meet state and local building codes. Cooling systems must meet applicable health and safety rules.
Associations cannot block members' cooling systems, charge related fees, dictate products or contractors, claim rebates, or demand removal. This covers cooling systems in members' own homes in these communities. An association may stop work that breaks a law or lacks a required permit. If a system affects shared space, the association may require repair of damage it causes and notice to buyers about the system and the owner's duties. It may require a licensed contractor, except for portable, window, or evaporative units, or systems needing no local building permit.
An association must pay a member for a deliberate violation of these cooling rules. This applies when an association deliberately breaks these rules. The association must pay for losses caused by the violation and a penalty of up to $2,000. A member who wins a lawsuit to enforce these rights is entitled to reasonable legal fees and court costs.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 887, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 27Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 20Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 6315.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1684 Ward Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 19In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1684 Ward et al. By Reyes. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 19Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 5550.).Passed Senate
- Aug 10Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 6Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Jun 25Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 24From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23).Minor
- Jun 23
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 18Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- Jun 17From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 16).Major
- Jun 16
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Upper
- May 13Referred to Coms. on HOUSING and JUD.Minor
- May 5In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 4Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 1684.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 1684 Ward Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 28From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 28).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 28Coauthors revised.
- Apr 23Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Apr 22From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and JUD.Minor
- Feb 3From printer. May be heard in committee March 5.
- Feb 2Read first time. To print.Introduced
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