lake forest shores

New California Laws

January 1, 2026

Welcome to 2026! If you haven’t already, please remember to update your monthly HOA payments to reflect the new assessment amounts. This will help avoid any payment issues with the management companies. I have listed the 2026 fees at the bottom of the page for your reference. Although increases in the cost of living are affecting everyone, the HOA fee increases were implemented to address rising operational and maintenance costs. These adjustments are essential to maintaining the quality, appearance, and long-term value of our community. We can only hope that these increases begin to slow in the coming years. It would be discouraging to think that the next major milestone is reaching the $700 mark.

And now, what does the state of California have lined up for us in the year ahead? I'm sure that a few are bound to stir strong reactions.


Believe it or not, California has enacted nearly 800 new laws for 2026. While it’s impossible to cover them all, below is a brief overview of about a dozen that may have the most noticeable impact on everyday life.

Expanded Food Delivery Consumer Protections - Food delivery apps require full refunds, including tips and fees, if your order is wrong or doesn’t arrive.

Minimum Wage Increase to $16.90 - The statewide minimum wage rises to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026.

Ban on Cat Declawing - California will prohibit non-therapeutic declawing of cats unless it’s medically necessary; a move intended to protect animal welfare and align with humane veterinary practices.

Plastic Bag Regulations - California’s long-standing plastic bag ban is being strengthened for 2026. The law closes a previous loophole that allowed thicker plastic bags to be treated as “reusable”, meaning retailers must now transition fully to durable reusable bags or recycled-content paper bags. No more, "paper or plastic" at the checkout.

Rental Unit Appliance Requirements - New housing protections require landlords to provide working refrigerators and stoves in rental units leased on or after January 1, 2026.

Insulin Copay Caps to $35 - Large state-related health insurers in California will be required to cap insulin copayments at $35 for a 30-day supply.

School & Education Enhancements - Requires student IDs in public schools and colleges to include a 24/7 hotline for LGBTQ+ mental health support.

Health & Emergency Food Access - Expands state emergency food bank programs to include diapers and wipes for young children.

E-Bike Safety Equipment Requirements - Electric bicycles must meet safety standards, including red rear lights or reflectors and certified battery safety.

DUI Ignition Interlock Extension - The ignition interlock device program for DUI offenders is extended through 2033 to help prevent repeat offenses.

School Cellphone Policies - Every school district in California must adopt a policy limiting or restricting student cellphone use on campus by July 1, 2026, to reduce classroom distractions.

Used Car Return Rights - Effective October 1, 2026, California gives buyers a three‑day return window on most used dealer cars, along with price transparency requirements and limits on unwanted add‑on products.

You’d think common sense would handle most of this, but apparently we’re living in an era of idiocracy. Many of these laws seem more about saving the clueless than helping anyone else. And before piling on new rules, maybe Sacramento could focus on enforcing the ones already on the books. Sometimes it feels like lawmakers are simply justifying their positions to collect a paycheck and too busy trying to solve issues that nobody asked for, instead of fixing the REAL problems.