2005 California Civil Code Sections 799.78-799.79 Article 7. Actions and Proceedings

799.78.  In any action arising out of the provisions of this
chapter, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable
attorney's fees and costs.  A party shall be deemed a prevailing
party for the purposes of this section if the judgment is rendered in
his or her favor or where the litigation is dismissed in his or her
favor prior to or during the trial, unless the parties otherwise
agree in the settlement or compromise.
799.79.  In the event that an occupant, tenant, or resident or a
former occupant, tenant, or resident is the prevailing party in a
civil action against the management to enforce his or her rights
under this chapter, the occupant, tenant, or resident, in addition to
damages afforded by law, may, in the discretion of the court, be
awarded an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each
willful violation of any provision of this chapter by the management.