CA Health & Safety Code Section 52012.5

For purposes of this chapter, “first-time homebuyer” means a person who is a purchaser of an owner-occupied housing unit and who neither has, nor has had, a present ownership in a principal residence at any time during the three-year period prior to the date on which the mortgage governed by this chapter is executed. Criteria established pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 52020.5 shall include criteria for qualification of first-time homebuyers which need not include the criteria required for qualification of other mortgagors as set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 52020.5.