CAI continues to advocate at the local level to track bills and ordinances in addition to those at the state and federal level. Alongside state legislative action committees, CAI can ensure the power and rights of community associations remain protected in jurisdictions across the country. To support this effort, LACs designate local liaisons to serve as a dedicated point of contact whenever an issue arises that requires CAI action.
Earlier this year, CAI’s California Legislative Action Committee, in conjunction with CAI’s Orange County Chapter, engaged in a successful advocacy campaign in the city of Aliso Viejo. The campaign enlisted local CAI members to protect community associations’ interests. This is the story of how local success happens, and how advocates at the local level play a critical role:
Ordinance Background and Statutory Impact
Earlier this year, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which oversees housing policy and reviews local laws to ensure conformity with state mandates, finished its review of the city of Aliso Viejo’s accessory dwelling unit law. It identified areas that could be viewed as potential blocks to the construction of new ADUs.
City staff asked for further clarification on its recommendations, which did not arrive by the time of the public hearing. As a result, further discussion was deferred pending a response from DHCD.
DHCD specifically identified Section 15.14.080 (D)(2) as an area that could hinder the construction of new ADUs. This language states that for a permit to be granted for the construction of an ADU, the applicant must provide “evidence of having given notice to the HOA, if applicable.” DHCD recommended either removal of this requirement or clarification regarding the ministerial approval of ADUs in the city.
CAI Action
In anticipation of the hearing, CAI LAC and Orange County Regional Chapter sent a letter to the city council asking the city to ignore DHCD’s recommendation to remove the notice requirement for community associations. The city council subsequently did not act during the hearing and scheduled the issue for later reconsideration.
Right before the hearing, a CAI member based in Aliso Viejo proactively offered assistance and subsequently testified in person in support of CAI’s position. Thanks to this local voice, the city council voted unanimously to maintain the existing requirement that HOAs be given notice of ADU construction as a prerequisite to issuing permits.
The city council voted to finalize amendments to its ADU law which conformed to DHCD’s other suggestions and retained the HOA notice requirement. The language also requires the city provide written notice to an HOA on record when it receives an application for an ADU.
Local Advocate Voices
This success highlights the importance of local voices during the legislative process. In a local legislature, there is a level of familiarity and ease not often seen in other levels of government that can be very beneficial.
To further advocacy at the local level, CAI encourages each LAC to appoint local liaisons, similar to how federal liaisons are designated (Appendix 8 of the LAC Operational Guidelines). A CAI legislative action committee local liaison acts as a point person who can better facilitate action when local ordinances require attention.
CAI has a robust network of advocates nationwide, and now is the time to leverage that energy in local politics. The recent campaign in Aliso Viejo proves CAI’s voice can be carried at any level of government.
Want to become an advocate? Sign up today to receive alerts on legislation in your state. CAI also has an Advocacy Ambassador Program where you can join peers from across your state to directly reach out to lawmakers and help champion legislative initiatives at all levels of government. Learn more today.
