Are vacation timeshare purchases subject to cancellation rights?

What the Law Says

California law provides strong protections for timeshare buyers, including a mandatory cooling-off period and strict disclosure requirements.

Under the California Vacation Ownership Act, anyone who buys a vacation timeshare interest — whether through a deed, lease, or license — has the right to cancel the contract within 7 calendar days after signing it or receiving the required disclosures, whichever is later.

The seller must give the buyer a written notice of cancellation rights at least 24 hours before the contract is signed. This notice must be in boldface type and include the exact language required by law.

If the buyer cancels within the 7-day window, the seller must refund 100% of all money paid — no deductions allowed — within 30 days. If the seller fails to refund on time, they may be charged a $100 penalty plus interest.

Statutory Text

The purchaser shall have the right to cancel the contract until midnight of the seventh calendar day following the date the contract is executed or the date the purchaser receives the documents required by Section 11215, whichever is later.

— Cal. Civ. Code § 11216 — Right to cancel

Statutory Text

The seller shall provide the purchaser with a written notice of the right to cancel… at least 24 hours prior to execution of the contract.

— Cal. Civ. Code § 11215 — Disclosure requirements

Statutory Text

Upon cancellation, the seller shall return all payments made by the purchaser within 30 days… A penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed upon the seller for each failure to comply.

— Cal. Civ. Code § 11216 — Refund and penalty

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