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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 5Ch. 1Art. 2§ 4185 Separate Interest Definitions

§ 4185 Separate Interest Definitions

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 4185 Separate Interest Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •A 'separate interest' means the part of a property you own or have the right to use all by yourself, like your own apartment or house in a shared building or neighborhood.
  • •If walls, floors, or ceilings are the boundaries of your separate interest, the inside surfaces (like paint, doors, or windows) belong to you, but the rest (like the structure itself) is shared with everyone.
  • •You can own your separate interest forever, for a set number of years, or even just for your lifetime.

Example

You buy a condo in a big building.

The inside of your condo, like the walls you paint and the doors you install, is yours. But the building's roof, hallways, and outer walls are shared with all the other condo owners.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 4185 Separate Interest Definitions

(a) “Separate interest” has the following meanings: (1) In a community apartment project, “separate interest” means the exclusive right to occupy an apartment, as specified in Section 4105. (2) In a condominium project, “separate interest” means a separately owned unit, as specified in Section 4125. (3) In a planned development, “separate interest” means a separately owned lot, parcel, area, or space. (4) In a stock cooperative, “separate interest” means the exclusive right to occupy a portion of the real property, as specified in Section 4190. (b) Unless the declaration or condominium plan, if any exists, otherwise provides, if walls, floors, or ceilings are designated as boundaries of a separate interest, the interior surfaces of the perimeter walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and outlets located within the separate interest are part of the separate interest and any other portions of the walls, floors, or ceilings are part of the common area. (c) The estate in a separate interest may be a fee, a life estate, an estate for years, or any combination of the foregoing. (Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. (AB 805) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 180.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

separate interestcommunity apartment projectcondominium projectplanned developmentstock cooperative

Related Statutes

  • § 4100 Common Interest Development Types
  • § 6564 Separate Interest Definitions
  • § 6534 Common Interest Development Types
  • § 4250 Common Interest Development Declarations
  • § 4780 Pest Damage Maintenance Responsibility

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 4185.
View Official Source