M.C. from Windham County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Can our condo association restrict size of trucks allowed on property to half-ton or smaller?
Mister Condo replies:
M.C., maybe yes and maybe no. Many associations limit the type of vehicles allowed to park on property to non-commercial as designated by the local Department of Motor Vehicles. However, many states allow for “combination” plates and even allow for larger vehicles to carry the “passenger” car designation. For you to change your by-laws on what types of vehicles you allow on your property, you will need to follow the rules for doing so as outlined in your governance documents. It might require a simple majority vote of homeowners but be ready for a fight. If I purchased into your association and had a larger vehicle that was previously allowed, I would expect to be excepted from the new regulation. After all, big vehicle owners who purchased in your association were not violating any rules when they purchased. Hitting them after the fact will result in problems for them and problems for the association. I realize that your condominium association, like so many others, has very limited parking resources and that larger vehicles pose a serious parking challenge for all owners but you do need to follow the rules for changing the rules and make accommodations for owners who are already there. All the best!