Quote Originally Posted by quilatoa
This is the root of what I'm trying to get to. What does it mean to be a resident according to 215? I live here, work here, pay taxes here, etc.

I, like many others, also have another residence in another state, however.
Legal CA residency means that CA is your principal place of residence. It is where you have your business and personal accounts set up, including credit card billing, vehicle registration, insurance, and voters' registration.

If you are here on temporary business, you're considered transitory, and not a CA resident.