California HOA Enforcement, ADUs & Elections: 5 Disputes to Watch in 2026

Top 5 HOA battles are coming for California homeowners in 2026. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down the disputes that will define HOA life in 2026, from AB 130 enforcement to insurance shocks, aging infrastructure, ADUs, and the rise of recalls. If you live in an HOA, now is the time to get informed and prepare. 

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why AB 130’s $100 fine cap is already fueling confusion, fine stacking debates, and more lawsuits.

✅ How soaring insurance premiums and shrinking coverage create compliance problems with CC&Rs and hidden gaps homeowners only catch by reviewing their HOA’s policies.

✅ Why aging infrastructure and weak reserves are driving massive special assessments, and how annual assessment limits interact with special assessment mechanics under the Davis-Stirling Act.

✅ What California’s ADU push means inside HOAs, including limits on aesthetic control, fees that target ADUs, attempts to expand setbacks beyond city requirements, and other creative ways that HOAs try to interfere with homeowners’ ADU rights.

✅ Why HOA recalls will spike in 2026, including a predicted 30% increase, as boards mishandle enforcement, insurance, and maintenance while owners get more organized. 

California’s HOA landscape is heading into a turbulent year. Laws like AB 130 are creating costly uncertainty, insurance markets are collapsing, and infrastructure demands are piling up. For homeowners, the battles of 2026 will decide whether communities hold their boards accountable or sink deeper into financial and legal chaos. 

🔔 Subscribe for more full-length episodes and shorts to help you fight back against abusive HOA practices. 

🎧 Listen on YouTube @hoahellpodcastofficial or wherever you get your podcasts.

🌐 📞Need help? Contact MBK Chapman at www.mbkchapman.com. Mention the HOA HELL podcast for a discounted consultation. 

DISCLAIMER:  

This content constitutes attorney advertising.  

The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by listening to this podcast, submitting a question, or receiving a response. Always consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation. MBK Chapman and Michael Kushner disclaim any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this podcast.  

This communication does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. 

ABOUT:  

Michael Kushner is the attorney who pioneered this niche area of the law—representing h

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