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Board Box Oakwood Commons
Parking Violations and Camera Installation

From a resident: My neighbor is parking overnight in the guest spots every day. Also, can I install a Ring camera facing the common walkway? Please advise.

How Board Box found this answer
Understood your question
Searched 17 documents
Authoritative Sources (5)
Community Guidelines ... Architectural Guidelines ... Declaration of Covenant... Maintenance Matrix Enforcement and Fine P...
Based on this content, Board Box determined the best answer:

Short answers first:

  • On parking: Residents must park in their two assigned spaces; additional resident vehicles may use guest parking, and the Association may enforce and tow vehicles that violate the rules. See the Community Guidelines and the CC&Rs for authority and towing timelines.
  • On the Ring camera: ARC approval is required before installing any exterior cameras. The resident must submit an ARC request with the camera model, mounting location, and field-of-view details. See the Architectural Guidelines (Section 4.8, Exterior Cameras).

What the governing documents say (primary sources):

Parking

  • The Community Guidelines (p. 5) state: "Each unit is assigned two (2) parking spaces... Overnight guest parking is limited to fourteen (14) consecutive days."
  • The CC&Rs (Art. VIII, §8.02, p. 40) grant the Association authority to enforce parking rules, including towing after written notice.
  • The Enforcement and Fine Policy (p. 2) outlines the escalation: written warning, hearing, fine ($50/day), tow authorization.

Camera / Ring Doorbell

  • The Architectural Guidelines (Section 4.8) require ARC approval for any exterior camera. The camera must be small, unobtrusive, and must not point at neighboring units' windows or doors.

Suggested next steps

  1. Parking: Send the resident a formal written reminder citing the parking rules and note that continued violations may result in enforcement under the fine policy.
  2. Camera: Ask the resident to submit an ARC application with camera details (model, mounting location, field of view).

I can draft either or both of these for you if you want.

Suggested report to management / board

Subject: Repeated overnight use of guest parking — [Location/Spot if known]

Body: I'm reporting a vehicle repeatedly occupying guest parking overnight. Date(s)/time(s): [list]. License plate: [plate]. Photo(s) attached. The vehicle appears to be owned/used by a resident (if known) and has been here nightly for [#] days. Please investigate and enforce the guest parking rules per Association policy. Thank you.

That would be great, let's start with the request for the camera. Can you just put it in an email to the resident I can copy?

Sources referenced in this answer
Used earlier research from this conversation
Authoritative Sources (1)
Architectural Guidelines §4.8 (Exterior Cameras)
Based on this content, Board Box drafted this response:

Subject: ARC Request — Exterior Camera (Ring) Installation at [Unit #]

Hi [Resident Name],

Per the community's Architectural Guidelines (Section 4.8), ARC approval is required before installing exterior or doorbell cameras. Please submit the following so we can review your request:

Please include:

  • Unit number and preferred mounting location (photo of the exact mounting spot)
  • Photo of the camera model (make/model) and product link or spec sheet
  • Photo or diagram showing the camera's proposed field of view
  • Description of mounting method (surface-mounted to your trim, no drilling into common-area building fabric)
  • Color/finish and any visible wiring plan
  • Statement acknowledging you assume responsibility for installation, maintenance, removal, and any damage

A few quick reminders: Cameras must be small and unobtrusive and must not point at other units' windows/doors. Installation may not alter common-area building fabric without prior approval.

Thanks,
[Your Name / Association / Management]

Great and I don't think a fine is needed for the overnight parking in the guest space yet, it's the first complaint we've gotten. Can you write me a short but direct note to the neighbor, making them aware of the rules?

Sources referenced in this answer
Used earlier research from this conversation
Authoritative Sources (3)
Community Guidelines CC&Rs, Art. VIII §8.02 Enforcement & Fine Policy
Based on this content, Board Box drafted this response:

Here's a short, direct note you can copy and send to the neighbor:

Subject: Parking in Guest Space — Please Move Vehicle

Hi [Neighbor Name],

This is a friendly reminder that guest parking is for guests only; residents are expected to use their assigned spaces. The rule is stated in the Association's governing documents (Community Guidelines, p.5 and CC&Rs, Art. VIII §8.02, p.40).

Please move your vehicle from the guest space at [location/spot] by [date/time — e.g., 8:00 PM tonight] and avoid overnight parking there in the future. If you need temporary guest parking for visitors, contact management to arrange it. If this continues, the Association may take enforcement action under the Enforcement Policy.

Thanks for your cooperation,
[Your Name / Unit # / Contact]

Can homeowners rent out their units short-term (Airbnb / VRBO)?

How Board Box found this answer
Understood your question
Searched 17 documents
Authoritative Sources (3)
Declaration of Covenant... Community Guidelines ... Bylaws
Based on this content, Board Box determined the best answer:

No — short-term rentals (under 30 days) are not allowed.

  • The Declaration states an Owner may rent a Unit only if it is rented for a term greater than thirty (30) days: see the Declaration (Section 8.01, p. 40).
  • The Association's Rules (Community Guidelines) make Owners responsible for their tenants and provide the enforcement framework (warnings, hearings, fines, etc.): see the Community Guidelines — Enforcement (p. 13).

If the community wants to allow short-term rentals, that would require changing the governing documents or otherwise following the formal amendment process — I can help draft proposed language or a homeowner/board notice if you want.

Got it, can you write me a quick email I can send out reminding all our home owners of this rule? Have had a couple different complaints about potential AirBNB listings and want to get ahead of it.

How Board Box found this answer
Understood your question
Searched 17 documents
Authoritative Sources (2)
Declaration of Covenant... Community Guidelines
Based on this content, Board Box drafted this response:

Subject: Reminder — Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) Are Not Permitted

Dear Homeowners,

This is a friendly but important reminder: short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are prohibited under our governing documents.

The Declaration of Covenants states that an Owner may rent a Unit only if it is rented for a term greater than thirty (30) days (see Declaration, Section 8.01, p. 40). This includes platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and similar services.

We've recently received reports of possible short-term rental activity in the community. If you are currently listing or renting your unit on a short-term basis, please discontinue this immediately to remain in compliance.

Violations may result in enforcement action per our Community Guidelines (Enforcement, p. 13), which may include warnings, hearings, and fines.

If you have questions about the rental policy or need to report a concern, please contact management.

Thank you for helping maintain the standards of our community.

Sincerely,
[Board / Management Name]
[Community Name]

A homeowner's skylight needs repair. We're disputing whether the HOA or the homeowner is responsible. Do our governing documents clearly assign responsibility for skylights? We believe skylights are treated like windows, and that windows/doors are owner responsibility.

How Board Box found this answer
Understood your question
Searched 17 documents
Authoritative Sources (2)
Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Reservation of Easements CC&R's Amendment Doors
Based on this content, Board Box determined the best answer:

Short answer: Partially. The CC&Rs treat windows as the Owner's responsibility, so if a skylight is legally part of a Unit and is categorized as a "window," the Owner must repair it. If the skylight is part of the roof/structural or Common Property (or a Restricted Common Area assigned to the Association), the Association would be responsible.

What the governing documents say (primary sources)

  • The Declaration states Owners are responsible for maintenance, repair and replacement of "all portions of his Unit, including the windows…" — see the Declaration (Section 2.09), p. 22.
  • The Declaration also makes the Association responsible for maintenance/repair of Common Property and Improvements thereon — see Article XI, p. 21.
  • An amendment shows the Association takes responsibility for certain exterior door repairs/painting, which illustrates the Association may be responsible for some exterior elements even if similar items inside units are owner responsibilities — see the CC&R Amendment (p. 3).

Why this is ambiguous

The CC&Rs clearly make windows owner responsibility, but they don't expressly define "skylight." Skylights can be classified either as windows (owner) or as part of the roof/structure or common area (Association). That missing definition creates the ambiguity.

Recommended next steps

  1. Determine whether the skylight lies within the Unit boundary on the recorded Condominium Plan (this controls whether it's part of the Unit or Common Area).
  2. Get a short written inspection/report showing whether the skylight is a roof/structural element or a fenestration of the Unit.
  3. Have the Board (or Architectural Committee) issue a written determination citing the applicable CC&R language.
  4. If still unclear or disputed, consult HOA counsel to confirm responsibility or to guide a formal resolution.
  5. Check Owner and Association insurance (see Declaration (Section 9.03), p. 45) for coverage and subrogation handling.

If you want, I can draft:

  • A short letter for the Owner requesting access/inspection, or
  • A board memo summarizing the CC&R language and requesting the Architectural Committee's determination.

Actually can you draft a short but detailed email to our attorney, would like them to provide a point of view on if we should treat a skylight as a window.

How Board Box found this answer
Understood your question
Searched 17 documents
Authoritative Sources (2)
Maintenance Matrix Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Reservation of Easements
Based on this content, Board Box determined the best answer:

Subject: Request for legal opinion — Is a skylight a "window" (Owner) or Association/Common Area responsibility?

Hi [Attorney Name],

Please provide a brief written opinion on whether our HOA should treat a homeowner's skylight as a window (thereby the Owner's responsibility) or instead as part of the roof/structural/Common Area (Association responsibility).

Background and governing text

  • The Declaration assigns maintenance to Owners for "all portions of his Unit, including the windows" — see the Declaration (Section 2.09), p. 22.
  • Our internal Maintenance Matrix lists windows as an Owner maintenance/repair responsibility — see Maintenance Matrix, p. 6.

Issue and ambiguity

The CC&Rs explicitly make windows the Owner's responsibility, but they do not define "skylight." That creates ambiguity whether a skylight is properly characterized as a "window" (unit owner) or as a roof/structural or common element (Association).

Questions for your opinion

  1. Based on the Declaration language and any applicable authority, do you conclude a skylight should be treated as a window (Owner responsibility) or as part of the roof/structure/Common Area (Association responsibility)? Please state the basis for your conclusion.
  2. Are there common legal tests or recorded-plan principles (e.g., whether the skylight lies within the Unit per the Condominium Plan or is within Restricted/Common Areas) we should apply?
  3. If the documents are ambiguous, what is the recommended Board process to obtain a defensible determination (e.g., Architectural Committee determination, inspection report, amendment, recorded clarification)?
  4. Any insurance/subrogation considerations or recommended language for a Board determination letter to the Owner?

If you need additional documents (Condominium Plan, photos, inspection report, or unit-specific exhibits), please list them.

Requested timing

Please provide your written opinion by close of business in 10 calendar days (by [insert date 10 days from today]) if possible.

Attachments I can provide on request

Condominium Plan/plat, photos of the skylight, inspection report, maintenance request, and any prior Board/AC correspondence.

Thanks — appreciate a concise memo the Board can rely on.

[Your name], LCAM
Skyview Heights — Board Support/Management

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