Association May Charge a Fee. The association may charge the requesting member for the direct and actual cost of copying and redacting documents (including minutes Civil Code §1363.05(d)). However, associations may not charge a fee that exceeds the amount necessary to defray the costs for which it is levied. Civil Code §1366.1. Also, the association must inform the member of the cost before copying the requested documents. Civil Code §1365.2(b)(1) and §1365.2(c)(4).

Management Company Fees. If the copying is done by a management company, the company is allowed to charge fees that exceed the amount necessary to defray costs, i.e., they are allowed to make a profit. Brown v. PCM.