Guest Parking

We are a small condominium complex with very limited guest parking (5 spaces for 66 units). Fortunately, most of the townhomes have driveways to accommodate guests. The exception to that are several "flats" that share a driveway with ingress and egress issues, making it almost impossible for a guest to park on the homeowner's driveway. (However, there is street parking available within a block or two.) The problem is a homeowner in one of the "flats", has his son living with him, a recognized resident. The son has a girl friend, who is not a resident, but spends almost every night and parks in guest parking, every night. We have received complaints from homeowners but we have several board members who feel that guest parking is a first-come, first-serve basis and since this girl friend is a guest, there isn't anything we can do about. I argue that because this girl friend parks there overnight, leaves during the day (assumed for work) and then returns again at night. This has been going on for six months as an established "continual" occurrence. I have suggested writing a rule, but with 50% of the board believing that we can't do anything about, I am at the end of my rope. I should also mention that the homeowner believes that this "guest" isn't violating anything (that is true, since we don't have a rule). I have often asked myself, when does this guest stop being a guest and becomes a resident. Has anyone had a similar experience, and what was done to correct it? Does anyone have a rule that would cover this type of situation, and, if so, can you please share it?

One could make an argument that she is living there, especially if her car is in guest parking every night for at least six months? There is nothing to encourage the homeowner to inform us that she had become a resident, especially since we have a rule that no resident can park in guest parking. It seems unfair to the other homeowners, when they might need a guest parking spot and there isn't one.

As to your question, is this our biggest issue? No, but it is a lingering one.

We have Visitor Parking too. But we're gated so we have a kiosk officer who registers those who park there. No pass is issued for more than 72 hours and they do not have in & out privileges. If they go out, there might not be a spot when they return.

This 72 hours limit would include someone who is gone all day, but parks there every night. After 72 hours, the "visitor" can no longer park there. The unit owner will get a letter warning of the violation and pointing out that the HOA can have the car towed. (We never have needed to, but have the legal signage posted). Many residents, too, are gone all day and park in their own spaces every night.

Our CC&Rs give the Board the right to make rules about common area parking spaces. With so few VP spaces, I think your board should make a rule about them. Your problem might be how to enforce it.

But I do wonder if she's able to find a space every night, is there much need for VP thats' strictly for actual guests?

For the purposes of parking, I think it would be reasonable to place some limits on who is considered a "guest". Limit the number of days per month, the number of days per year, or the contiguous number of days they can use guest parking.