Rules must match the recorded documents.

There's a hierarchy, and it matters more than most arguments about fairness. State statute generally sits above the recorded declaration or CC&Rs, which sits above the bylaws, which sits above rules and resolutions adopted by the board. A board rule that conflicts with a higher document may not be enforceable at all — so get the recorded declaration from the county recorder rather than relying on the rules booklet or a summary.

Usually procedure, not merits. Was written notice given and did it describe the violation specifically? Were you offered a hearing before the fine? Was the fine within a schedule that was properly adopted and disclosed? Does the declaration authorise the board to regulate this at all? "No hearing was offered" travels much further than "this rule is unfair."

Yes, if you document it. Inconsistent enforcement of the same rule is one of the strongest homeowner arguments in many states — but it needs evidence: dated photographs of the neighbourhood and, where you can obtain them, the association's enforcement records for that rule against other owners. That's exactly what the records request is for.

No — this is the most expensive mistake in the whole area. Withholding regular assessments usually creates a separate debt that can lead to liens regardless of who's right about the rule. Keep paying, and dispute the fine separately. In some states paying under protest preserves your options; check how that works where you are.

As soon as a lien, foreclosure, court filing or attorney fees appear. Deadlines in legal notices are short and unforgiving, and governing documents often contain fee-shifting clauses that can make losing cost far more than the original fine. Many states require or encourage mediation before a lawsuit, which is far cheaper — and some have an ombudsman or agency for association disputes.