Term Limits

Restrictions on the number of consecutive terms a board member may serve before being required to step down for at least one election cycle. Term limits are an optional governance provision that some associations include in their bylaws to encourage fresh perspectives, prevent entrenchment, and promote broader homeowner participation in board leadership. When present, term limits typically allow two or three consecutive terms (each term being one to three years depending on the bylaws) before a director must sit out for at least one cycle. Term limits are not required by law in most states, including California. Proponents argue that term limits reduce the risk of board stagnation, cliques, and power concentration. Critics counter that they force experienced and effective board members off the board at a time when their institutional knowledge is most valuable, and that in communities where few homeowners volunteer, term limits can create difficulty filling seats. A balanced approach used by some associations is to set advisory term limits with an override — for example, allowing a third consecutive term if no other candidates come forward. If an association wants to add or remove term limits, the change typically requires a bylaw amendment, which involves a membership vote at the threshold specified in the governing documents.