In this issue, we'll explore the rule regarding parking and storing of vehicles. Restrictions on vehicular parking, storage and repairs are covered in Article VIII, paragraph 8.16.

8.16 (a), as amended in the 5th Amendment, states, "...no trailer, camping trailer, boat, boat accessories, trailer carrying recreation devices, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, trucks or commercial vehicles larger than one (1) ton, ...shall be parked or stored ...unless... parked or stored within a garage, behind a six foot (6) high solid fence." The amendment also defines a non-recreational over sized vehicle as "larger than twenty-five (25) feet in length or one hundred (100) inches in height or ninety (90) inches in width."

8.16 (b) states that "No abandoned or inoperable vehicles of any kind shall be stored or parked within the Service Association Area, except in garages, designated parking or storage areas,.." and that, "An abandoned or inoperable vehicle shall be defined as any automobile, truck, motorcycle, van, trailer, house trailer, camper, recreational vehicle or other device for carrying passengers, goods or equipment, which has not been driven under its own propulsion for a period of two (2) weeks or longer..." Storing or parking an abandoned or inoperable vehicle behind a six-foot fence is not allowed.

8.16 (c) says, " No activity such as, but not limited to, maintenance, repair, rebuilding, dismantling, painting or servicing any kind of vehicle shall take place within the Service Association Area, except within completely enclosed structures which prevent such activities from being seen or heard from the street and from adjoining property." It is important to note that this provision specifically exempts washing and polishing of vehicles from this restriction.

In addition to paragraph 8.16 (b) and (c) in November 2001 an amendment to 8.16 (a) was approved which in sub-paragraph ii clarifies the term "parking for temporary expediencies" which says, "Parking for temporary expediencies is allowed for seventy-two (72) hours" with seventy-two hours being defined as "A total of seventy-two hours during any thirty-day (30) period."  

Under the regulations, twice per year, owners of RV's and boats can request approval to extend the parking for temporary expediencies period from 72 hours to five days.

Please remember that sub-associations may have more restrictive covenants than the BMSA.  Also, residents of Canyon View, Mesa Ridge and Valley View Townhomes and Condos must remember that their property is generally limited to the outside of the foundation walls of their home.  Everything else is common area.  

More detail on these and other covenant regulation are AVAILABLE HERE or on www.BattlementMesaColorado.com.