Injunctive Relief. Injunctions may be mandatory (requiring a person to do something) or prohibitory (stopping them doing something). Parties who violate an injunction face civil or criminal contempt of court proceedings and may be ordered to pay damages or sanctions for failing to follow the court's order. Injunctive relief is frequently sought in the enforcement of equitable servitudes (CC&Rs). Following are the stages of relief sought:

1. Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). A temporary order issued by the court to stop all activity so as to maintain the status quo. For example, an owner starts construction without approval by the HOA. The association can go into court on an ex parte basis (24-hours notice) for a TRO to temporarily stop construction until the parties can more fully explain their positions to the judge at a hearing on the matter set by the court. A hearing for a preliminary injunction is normally held within two to four weeks.
   
   
2. Preliminary Injunction (PI). Following the issuance of a TRO, the court sets a hearing for a preliminary injunction which is another temporary order but of longer duration than a TRO. The court will issue a PI if a party can show that it will likely succeed at the time of trial. For example, if the association can show that the owner is in violation of the CC&Rs and Architectural Standards (violating height restrictions, violating setback requirements, etc.), the judge can order the owner to cease all construction until the parties can fully litigate the matter.
   
   
3. Permanent Injunction. Once the parties have put on their case, either to the judge (a "bench trial") or to a jury, a permanent injunction can be issued against the owner permanently preventing him from building in violation of the governing documents. If a party violates an injunction, whether it be a TRO, preliminary injunction or permanent injunction, that party can be held in contempt of court which is punishable by fines and a jail sentence.

Equitable Relief. Equitable relief is similar in that a court can require parties to perform certain acts or specifically perform a contract. Equitable remedies are distinguished from "legal" (money damage) remedies and are at the discretion of the court. They include the power to grant injunctions and specific performance. Specific performance requires a party to perform a contract.