The Open Meeting Act allows boards of directors to establish reasonable time limits for the Open Forum and for speakers to address the board. Civil Code §1363.05(h). Many associations establish a 3-minute time limit per speaker but boards are allowed to use a different time limit, provided it is reasonable. Many also establish and overall time-limit on the Open Forum of thirty minutes.

Purpose of Limitations. A time limit for the Open Forum allows the board to attend to the business of the association. Otherwise, an open-ended Open Forum could run for hours and prevent the board from discussing and voting on contracts, repair issues, policies, etc. that are important to the association. Similar limitations exist in City council meetings.