Skye Bridge

In a Community Association, the Developer (or Declarant) will often form a basic set of Rules and Regulations for the Association before anyone even moves into the Community. These Rules and Regulations are often found in the Declaration (or CC&R’s or Master Deed). Or, a separate document called the “Rules and Regulations” may exist, created by the Declarant, or soon there after by initial or early Board Members.

Purpose. Rules create a set outline that all Homeowners moving into the community agree to at the time or purchase (or rental, if the Resident is a Renter moving into the Community). If everyone follows the Rules, this will create a sense of harmony, while maintaining and enhancing property values.

Rules address Architectural Standards. Whether it is listed in the Declaration, the Rules and Regulations, or a separate standard for Architectural Guidelines, everyone is aware of what is permitted to be installed outward facing into the Community. The color of the roofs, the color of the doors, the style of the doors, the type of windows, the siding, the stucco, you name it – its all included. Some Communities even include hinge and door knob color and style. But, in a well-maintained community, this sharp appearance maintains and enhances property values.

Rules address Social Behavior. Did you dislike how your previous neighbor hung out his laundry to dry, having boxer briefs blow into your yard? Or how about that apartment, where the kids were running crazy and the dogs were barking at all hours? Most common nuisances are addressed in the Rules and Regulations of the Association, where Homeowners creating the problems can be issued violation letters, fines, and suffer other consequences for their actions if they do not adhere to the Rules of the Community.

Rules provide a reminder. Some Homeowners are coming from an apartment (or living with other family members). And truth be told, they just may not know that you should cut your grass once every 7-10 days (depending on weather), or that snow and ice have to be removed 12 hours after a storm. They may not realize that gutters and downspouts don’t clean themselves, or leaf pick up isn’t just so kids can jump in piles of leaves. Meanwhile, experienced Homeowners may be used to seeing the siding turning green and the mailbox numbers falling off (or missing)…and it is just not a priority. Courtesy notices (1st violation) are helpful to remind Homeowners of their responsibilities so that they can maintain their house in accordance with the Association’s standards.

Rules should be reviewed and reconsidered from time-to-time. Rules are not necessarily made to be broken, but at the same time, times do change after decades. One common example is that pets are not always a cat, dog, or fish anymore. Some families prefer snakes or other reptiles. And, it turns out, hanging your wash out to dry is good for the environment. Maybe, a Community that prohibits growing vegetables in their own yard/flower bed, would like to create a communal garden. Make sure your Community stays up-to-date with local, state, and federal laws, while also considering the needs and requests of the demographics who live within the Community.

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Summary: Rules and Regulations exist to help create and foster a sense of harmony within the Community, while maintaining and enhancing property values. Rules should be reviewed from time-to-time to ensure they keep up with local, state, and federal laws, but also to ensure that they are best suited to fit the needs of the demographics of the Association.