California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 50068.5

“First-time home buyer” 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 pursuant to this division is executed, except that this limitation shall not apply to a purchaser of a principal residence in a targeted area.