Don't see the answer to your question? Ask Condopedia!

Our condo association is reviewing its parking rules. Any suggestions?

What are the pros and cons of different driveway paving materials?

We split expenses across all four units, but three have a parking space and one doesn't (and one doesn't have outdoor space). How should we handle this?

Here are some typical rules for parking on condo property. Some of them may not apply to your situation.

• All cars must be registered with the condo association. (Typical registration includes the make and color of the car, the license number, and the unit owner's name, unit number, and phone number.)
• Parking spaces may be used only for parking private vehicles.
• Do not park trucks, campers, boats, trailers, buses, unregistered vehicles, or disabled vehicles without first getting written permission from the condo board.
• You are permitted to wash your car and perform minor repairs (such as installing a new wiper blade).
• You may not paint, change oil, or change transmission fluid on the premises.
• Do not leave your car in a hazardous state. For instance, do not leave it unattended on blocks or jacked, or with the engine running and the hood open.
• The parking spaces are shared by all residents on first come first serve basis.
• You have an assigned parking place. If you want a different assignment, you must make the request to the condo board for consideration.
• Do not block access for other cars or emergency vehicles. If you do, you will be towed.
• The condo association is not responsible for vandalism or other damage that occurs while the car is on the premises.
• If you violate the parking rules, the condo board reserves the right to have your car towed without giving you notice.
• You are not permitted to paint or otherwise alter your designated parking place.
• Parking places must be used for parking of vehicles. No alternative uses are permitted.
• If your reserved parking place is occupied by a car other than your own, contact either the owner of that car or a member of the condo board.
• Do not keep the car engine running unnecessarily in the parking lot or parking garage.
• All cars must be up-to-date in terms of registration and inspection, and must be in working order.
• Children are not allowed to play in the parking lot.
• Guests parking is for temporary visitors only, and is limited to four hours maximum.

As with any rules, you might want to consult your lawyer before making the rules official to make sure they don't violate any local regulations or any part of your condo association bylaws.

Concrete and asphalt are the cheapest and easiest materials to use. They form an even surface that makes snow removal fairly easy. They also withstand cracking in cold temperatures (asphalt better than concrete). Both require sealing and regular maintenance. Both can be patched.

In moderate to warm climates, concrete may last longer than asphalt. On the other hand, asphalt can be relayered more easily than concrete, and asphalt is less subject to staining. Both asphalt and concrete work well with snow-melting systems.

Other materials used for driveways, such as cobblestones, brick, and concrete pavers (brick blocks of concrete) are easy to repair because they are composed of individual units that can be removed and replaced if broken or cracked. On the other hand, these materials are expensive and tend to make snow removal more difficult.

Regarding the parking area and outdoor space, your deeds and bylaws should spell out the situation. If the parking and yard are part of the common area, the board has some responsibility, but that can be worked out between the condo owners. For instance, in my building, all the storage rooms are common area. The association is thus responsible if a window breaks, a pipe leaks, the chicken wire gets torn, etc. If someone wanted to paint their storage area blue, they should request permission from the board, but as a practical matter the board doesn't care what a person does with their storage area. That said, because it's common area, the board could in theory reclaim all the space and put in, for instance, an exercise room. Given that, it makes sense that the board has some responsibility for that space. Common area is a community asset and should be treated as such.

If the parking spaces and outdoor property (e.g., decks) are deeded to the individual units, then the board would typically be responsible for common elements, such as the roof, walls, and exterior paint. That said, if there are serious disputes and your condo docs, like most condo docs, don't clearly spell out every situation, you may have to consult a lawyer. One advantage of self-managed associations is that they can address disputes on a case by case situation, and try to find a compromise that works for everyone. If you have a reserve, it will be a lot easier to create policies that work for everyone.