California Codes, Civil Code - CIV, Division 4 — General Provisions, Part 5 — Common Interest Developments, Chapter 6 — Association Governance, Article 5 — Record Inspection, Section 5235
(a) A member may bring an action to enforce that member’s right to inspect and copy the association records. If a court finds that the association unreasonably withheld access to the association records, the court shall award the member reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, and may assess a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for the denial of each separate written request.
(b) A cause of action under this section may be brought in small claims court if the amount of the demand does not exceed the jurisdiction of that court.
(c) A prevailing association may recover any costs if the court finds the action to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.
Notes
Allows a member to sue to enforce inspection and copying rights for association records. If access was unreasonably withheld, the court must award reasonable costs and attorney's fees and may impose up to $500 for each separate written request denied; qualifying claims may proceed in small claims court, while a prevailing association recovers costs only for frivolous actions.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 5235 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/civil-code/division-4/part-5/chapter-6/article-5/section-5235