Rules Committee, Rules and Regulations
When writing rules the Board or Rules Committee first
determines if the rule is necessary by investigating and determining if there is
a problem. Next they will evaluate any alternative solutions, then conduct
any research necessary by checking the governing documents. Draft rules
will be posted in the minutes and website. Please provide all comments on
draft rules by emailing the rules chairman, contacting the property manager or
by attending a board or rules committee meeting. All final rules shall be
in the Board minutes and posted to the website.
If the Board ever makes an exception to a rule for
any homeowner, it will determine the violation’s effect on the community,
investigate and consider all facts, document the decision including why and how
the decision was reached, state if the decision applies to all homeowners, and
update the rule accordingly.
There are two ways homeowner associations can handle
rules violations, proactive or reactive. Proactive rule enforcement
involves individuals patrolling the neighborhood, looking for violations, and
reporting to the association. Reactive rule enforcement depends on
homeowners making complaints and the association following up on them. Our
association’s rule enforcement is reactive. If you observe a rule
violation, please submit a complaint to the property manager in the following
manner:
RULES ENFORCEMENT
Steps for Reporting Violations
Owners are encouraged to solve problems first amongst
themselves whenever possible.
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Concerns can be expressed to the property manager
in writing by either mail or email (or
use Exhibit 009). The letter must include the name and address of
the homeowner, what the violation was, and your name, address, and phone
number, so the property manager may contact you if any questions should arise.
The name and information of the reporting party shall not be disclosed unless
required by law.
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If possible, a board member, committee member, or
volunteer homeowner may contact the reporting party for more details and
confirm the violation if any doubts have arisen.
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The property manager will send a violation notice
to the homeowner in violation and a copy to the reporting party (so they may
keep track of what is happening).
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The property manager will notify the Board of all
violation notices sent in a monthly management report.
- If a state or county law is being
violated, please contact the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at (425)
388-3353. It is important to keep our community informed of any problem
issues. If possible, please inform the property manager also so they may
report any issues of concern to the association.
RULES VIOLATIONS
Violation Notification
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The first violation notice should include the
specific rule that has been violated, a 10 day period in which to comply, a
method for achieving compliance, any potential penalties, and a method in
which the homeowner may contact the property manager in order to discuss the
violation.
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If after the 10 day time period the violation has
not been remedied or the property manager has not been contacted, a second
notice will be sent. The second notice should include the specific
violation, a method for achieving compliance, any potential penalties, and a
10 day time period in which the homeowner must contact the property manager in
order to discuss the violation.
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If after the 10 day time period the violation has
not been resolved or the homeowner has failed to contact the property manager,
the issue will be taken to the Board of Directors at the next monthly board
meeting. The homeowner will be notified of this by certified mail and
may attend to provide any additional information. At that time the Board
of Directors shall make a decision as to what action will be taken to remedy
the violation. Following the meeting, a written report and any action to
be taken will be reported to the homeowner in writing by certified mail.
Each case shall be judged on its individual merits, and any previous
enforcement of the same or similar violations shall not be binding upon the
Board in its decision. Any prior Board decision shall not be considered
a new rule unless it is agreed to in the normal process of motion, vote, and
documentation.
- If this is a reoccurring violation, then
this process happens once. Once the process has been completed, future
violations receive only the third letter and fining begins anew.
Violation Consequence
Please be aware that, according to Article 6 Section
6.1.2 of the Bylaws, the
Board has the authority to suspend the voting rights and the right use of the
recreational facilities of a member during any period in which such member shall
be in violation of the rules, regulations, Bylaws, etc.
Fining Policy
Fines shall be issued only after giving residents
reasonable opportunity to correct a violation and after providing due process.
Fines shall be considered only when all steps in policy #22 (as amended) have
failed. Fines are levied upon violations according to
Exhibit 011.
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