Rules & Regulations

Chapin Greene Condominiums operates under a set of rules and regulations governing residents’ responsibilities. The rules are designed to provide the highest quality of life possible in the Community. Regulations cover proper use of common areas such as tidiness of outdoor areas, parking regulations, pet rules, uniformity of outside architecture, and a host of other items that enhances a pleasant place to reside.
 

All unit owners, residents and guests are required to abide by these rules. Essentially, it reflects the concept of condominium living with advantages it brings to living at Chapin Greene.

1) The total number of units rented must not exceed 20%.

2) Owners are required to obtain written authorization from the Board of Trustees prior to renting or leasing their unit. Owners are required to furnish proof that the renter agreement or lease explicitly states that that it is subject to the governing documents. Owners will be held accountable for any fines imposed as a result of any rule infractions by renters, lessees’ occupants and guests.

3) Special charges as voted by the Board of Trustees at the regular meeting of October 8, 2014, that a late fee of $25 shall be assessed on all common fees not paid by the 15th of each month, commencing on January 15, 2015.

4) Any violations of Chapin Greene Condominium Rules and Regulations may be subject to penalty and fines as deemed proper by the Board of Trustees.

5) No tag, rummage or estate sales are allowed. 

6) Compulsory Unit Registration:  All unit owners MUST complete an annual unit information form and submit it to the property management office within the mandatory deadline as required by law. Reference: Massachusetts Chapter 400 of the acts of 1992 pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws 183-A “an act relative to the protection of condominium residents”. Violation of such will result in a $25.00 fine assessed for each month the required information is not submitted.

7) Unit owners are prohibited from making any structural alterations to any condominium unit, common area or garage. This includes the penetration or alteration of any exterior wall or part thereof for the purpose of installing a door, window, skylight, awning, exhaust fan, stairs, fiberglass partition, patio gate, fencing or railing.

8) Replacement storm/screen doors, entry doors, garage doors and replacement windows must comply with the uniform specifications and must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

9) No nails, screws, screw hooks, shall be mounted or installed as to puncture any vinyl siding, aluminum trim, patio decking or private fencing and railings for the purpose of hanging decorative wall fixtures, signs, plants or flowers. This includes the use of any glue or sticky tape. Owners may only use the approved stainless steel vinyl siding wall mount clips or stainless steel plant hangers by making a request to the Board of Trustees.

10) Satellite dishes or antennas of any kind are not allowed in common areas, roofs, patio railings, fences or decks. Any consideration of an alternate location must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

11) Owners shall not paint, stain or change the color or section of any exterior portion of any building. The only exception to this rule is the painting and/or covering of cement patio decks with the prior written approval of the Board of Trustees.

12) Window-mounted air conditioners are prohibited.

13) Garage doors will be kept closed at all times for aesthetic purposes.

  14) Unit owners must comply with the standards contained in any fire and liability insurance policy of the property including local, state and national fire safety codes, ordinances and regulations, particularly rules 15, 16, 17 & 18 which are mandated by state, and local fire regulations regarding multi-unit residential dwellings as well as insurance underwriters. 

15) No Charcoal or Charcoal Hibachi grills may be used at any time. Gas grills are not permitted inside of any unit, or on any balcony or deck above the first floor of any building. All gas grills must be used on ground level and must be a minimum of 10 feet from any building or ignition source such as vinyl siding or wood. Grills CANNOT be used under any patio overhang roof or below any second floor deck. Grills and propane tanks are prohibited from being stored below any second floor deck, stairway, garage or basement. 

16) The use of any fire pit, propane fire pit, chiminea or fireplace is prohibited on any patio deck or common areas. 

17) No wood or coal burning freestanding stoves are to be installed or used in any of the units. 

18) No mulch or landscape wood chips may be placed within 18 inches of any building. (Per Massachusetts Fire Code 527 CMR1.00, Section 10.14.10.4) 

19) Any damage either by accident or fire that may occur to any interior or exterior part of a condominium unit or part thereof, including common areas, must promptly be reported to the Trustees or property management by any person having knowledge thereof. This report shall include the identification of any person injured or responsible for such damage, accident or fire 

20) NO on street parking is allowed anywhere within the complex. All vehicles must be parked in unit driveways or designated parking areas. Violation of this rule may result in a fine and lead up to the towing of said vehicle at the owner’s expense. The only exception is the drop off and pick up of passengers, delivery service, utility company, private contractor, landscape or maintenance vehicles with attached trailers actively working on site. (This is in compliance with Massachusetts Fire Code NFPA 18.2.3.4.111 addressing fire lanes and narrow streets so as not to impede the ability and safe passage of fire apparatus and emergency vehicles.) 

21) Residents are to park in their garage and driveways. 

22) No unregistered motor vehicle may be parked or stored in any parking space or common area, nor any junk or inoperable vehicle be parked within the limits of the complex. 

23) Long term parking (more than 3 contiguous days) in overflow/guest parking is prohibited by both residents and non-residents. Residents should be using their garage/driveways. Permission will be required from the board for any deviation of this regulation. Failure to do so could result in fines and/or towing at the owner's expense. 

24) No campers, RV's, motor homes, boats or any trailer of any kind may be parked within the confines of the complex.

25) Any commercial vehicle, with or without commercial license plates or lettering, equipped with ladder racks or utility boxes are prohibited from parking on the property overnight without a written request of approval of the Board of Trustees. The only exception is that said described vehicle is parked within the unit garage with the overhead door closed. 

26) Posted speed limit of 10 MPH is to be strictly adhered to.

27) No repairs or washing of vehicles is allowed on the premises. 

28) Roller skates, skate boards, or motorized vehicles (other than those legally registered for public roadway use) shall not be permitted for use within the complex. The only exception is electric motorized wheelchairs or motorized devices to assist the mobilization of the disabled. 

29) No unlicensed individual shall be allowed to operate, or assist in the operation of any motor vehicle within the complex.

30) At no time shall any cars, trucks or motor vehicles be allowed to drive upon or park on any lawns or planted areas except in an emergency situation, or permission is obtained from the Board of Trustees. This infraction will result in a fine as the Board of Trustees may decide, and the cost of replacing any damaged area may be levied by the Trustees.

31) Residents and their guests are responsible for moving their vehicles that are parked in ANY general parking in the course of snow removal operations in order for these areas to be cleared. Failure to do so will result in a fine. 

32) Unit owners shall not create nor permit any sounds from such sources as musical instruments,TV’s, sound systems or gathering of persons at such volumes that they can be heard outside their respective units, and shall respond promptly and courteously to requests for modulation made by other unit owners. 

33) No residents shall make or permit to be made any disturbing noises by themselves, their family, guests, visitors or pets which will unreasonably interfere with the rights and comfort of other residents. 

34) Playing baseball, football or any other sports is prohibited on the roadways and all common areas. 

35) Unit owners are responsible for the actions of their children, occupants, guests and pets. 

36) Individuals under the age of ten may use tricycles and similar devices and may play in the common areas with adult supervision, and in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the use of the common area by other residents, and does not cause damage to other units or to the lawns and planted areas. Any such damages shall be deemed to be the fault of the resident parent of the individual(s) and all costs of repair shall be levied against the unit.