Category Archives: Associations
Hey You! Get Off My Common Area!
By Lesley A.Z. Rigney While association members generally possess easement rights to use and access common area properties and facilities of the association, may members store, alter, build or grow items on the association’s common area? The answer… Generally, No! Unless permitted by the association’s governing documents or rules adopted by the association’s board […]
The Most Important Thing Any Association Does
By Brad M. Barna I will often ask clients what they think is the most important thing that common interest community associations do. Many will say maintaining desirability via maintenance of common areas. Others will say the provision of amenities is most important or that the protection of a common aesthetic by regulating architectural design […]
Dealing with Tricky Tree Issues
By Michael Sottolano and Lauren Ritter Disputes can arise between owners and their association regarding who is responsible for maintenance or removal when once healthy trees in the community begin to show signs of death or disease, especially when the trees are located near homes or other […]
Virginia Community Associations and Updated EO67/Phase 3 Guidelines
(Updated August 24, 2020) Effective August 21, 2020, the Virginia Governor determined it was necessary to modify certain targeted Phase 3 business restrictions and issued an amended version of Executive Order 67 (previously issued on June 30, 2020) and a corresponding amended version of the Phase 3 Guidelines. The full text of Amended Executive Order […]
DC Mayor Imposes Masking Order, Includes Condo Common Areas [July 22]
To fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, D.C. Mayor Bowser issued two new orders on July 22: Order 2020-079 extending the public health emergency to October 9, 2020; and Order 2020-080 expressly requiring DC residents to wear masks in both indoor and outdoor circumstances, including while in transit. This Order expressly requires that people […]