Motorcycles Double Parked at the Condo

J.M. from New Haven County writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

Recently vehicle owners have started parking motorcycles in their parking spots (high rise) either behind their cars or beside them. What do you think about this?

Mister Condo replies:

J.M., I think it may be a rule violation! As long as the bikes fit within the assigned space(s) this may be more of a questionable use of the space than an issue the Board wants to take action on. For the most part, it is understood that there is a one vehicle per space use of assigned parking. That being said, most bylaws I know of are silent on that exact language and usually say something like the unit owner is entitles to use of one or two assigned spaces as designated in their purchase and sale agreement. The space is deeded to the unit owner. If the association has rules about one vehicle per parking space or wishes to adopt rules stating that there is only one vehicle per parking space allowed, then the Board could choose to enforce the rule and issue warning and/or fines for violations of the rule. The bottom line is if this parking arrangement isn’t causing any real problems for the majority of unit owners, it may just be an opportunity to create friction between residents with motorcycles and those without. In the association where I live, we choose to look the other way when this happens as the folks who own motorcycles here are also very good neighbors and respectful of how they operate their bikes. I think it is an issue that needs to be discussed by the Board but not necessarily acted upon if there is no real problem. All the best!