By: Lauren Fielder

’Tis the season for holiday gatherings. With all the merriment that’s sure to ensue, community association leaders should revisit rules on parking, noise, and overnight guests, and residents should brush up on any restrictions before hosting parties and visitors.

Parking

The holidays bring many people together, and that means extra cars will need to be parked. Associations usually have broad authority to make rules and regulations related to temporary, short-term parking. The board can prohibit parking on lawns, in front of a fire hydrant, or anywhere that blocks a sidewalk, an emergency vehicle’s access, or another driver’s view.

Residents hosting guests should check the rules on visitor parking, including where they can park (such as an overflow lot, if the association has one) and what kind of parking passes they may need.

Noise

Noise is inevitable with visitors in town, especially for residents in a condominium. It can become a nuisance if it stretches into midnight, or if it makes the walls and floors home reverberate continuously.

If you’re hosting a holiday party, give neighbors a heads up of how many guests you expect and how long you plan for the celebration to last. Be considerate of the amount of noise being generated by music, television, or pets. The association’s governing documents can provide guidelines to hosting parties and when quiet hours begin and end.

Overnight guests

It wouldn’t be the holidays without some close family or relatives making an extended stay. Depending on how long guests are staying, the association may need to be informed. The governing documents typically have rules for both short-term and long-term guests.

These association rules—and a carefully considered decorating policy—can help avoid disputes. Share them, and know them, but don’t forget to share the holiday spirit too.