CarolV5 (Florida)
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Posted:
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
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Portable generator on condo balcony Lee Co. FL
Started by CarolV5 • 15 replies • 1330 views
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MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Not sure there are any rules except for noise. Also it has to be wired correctly which is my main concern. Is it a permanent addition or is it temporary?
Former HOA President
BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217
Posts: 1,217
Posted:
There may be property and other code restrictions/requirements at the municipal or county level. You should consult with your city (or perhaps county) code compliance, planning and zoning office, or building code office.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
In most condominium or homeowners associations, the operating documents do not allow for portable generators to be used without the express consent of the Board. ... FEMA has long warned that portable generators, even if properly installed, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and spontaneous fires and explosions.
PatJ1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 568
Posts: 568
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CarolV5 on 02/25/2022 11:27 AM
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
A solar powered generator on a balcony may cause an HOA noise violation when used.
A gasoline powered generator may be a city/county, Fire Code violation which needs immediate attention by the HOA or the Fire Dept. inspector. It could be improper storage/use of a flammable device stored within or near a combustible building.
HenryS7 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 336
Posts: 336
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By PatJ1 on 02/25/2022 11:48 AM
Posted By CarolV5 on 02/25/2022 11:27 AM
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
A solar powered generator on a balcony may cause an HOA noise violation when used.
I think a solar powered generator would be very quiet.
PatJ1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 568
Posts: 568
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By HenryS7 on 02/25/2022 11:51 AM
A solar powered generator on a balcony may cause an HOA noise violation when used.
Posted By PatJ1 on 02/25/2022 11:48 AM
Posted By CarolV5 on 02/25/2022 11:27 AM
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
A solar powered generator on a balcony may cause an HOA noise violation when used.
I think a solar powered generator would be very quiet.
I am not familiar with the noise level of solar powered generators. Being 45 year old condos of wood construction, I am more aware of Fire Codes when storing flammable products near combustible buildings.
Noise levels are subjective and irritating. Improper storage of a flammable liquid can burn down an entire building.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
I am worried about how it is wired into the electrical box. If it is done wrong, it will go up in flames. So if you tie in temporary is different than a permanent set up.
Are we sure it is powering up something or is the person storing it?
Are we sure it is powering up something or is the person storing it?
Former HOA President
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Are you on the Board, Carol? Or is this something you, as an owner, want?
Before you check muni codes, your Assn. Rules & Regulations, the archchitectual section of your CC&Rs (AKA "declaration, covenants), your architectural guidelines may have answers for you. Read them.
Our condo high rise CC&Rs doesn't permit anything like that on our exclusive use ("limited" use) balconies. Along with possible issues mentioned by others, there might be vibration problems.
Before you check muni codes, your Assn. Rules & Regulations, the archchitectual section of your CC&Rs (AKA "declaration, covenants), your architectural guidelines may have answers for you. Read them.
Our condo high rise CC&Rs doesn't permit anything like that on our exclusive use ("limited" use) balconies. Along with possible issues mentioned by others, there might be vibration problems.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Check with your insurer - this may be an uninsured liability risk or may increase the association's risk. Even if the CC&Rs don't specifically prohibit generators, they may have a blanket prohibition on anything that increases the association's liability. What is the generator burning? If it's something like gasoline, that may violate another common restriction in condos, namely storing hazardous substances.
Check with the local fire department as well. Our laws forbid burning on patios or balconies in multi-unit buildings unless the patios and balconies are equipped with automatic sprinkler systems.
Many generators must be installed a certain number of feet away from the home, and it's very unlikely that a condo balcony would qualify.
Check with the local fire department as well. Our laws forbid burning on patios or balconies in multi-unit buildings unless the patios and balconies are equipped with automatic sprinkler systems.
Many generators must be installed a certain number of feet away from the home, and it's very unlikely that a condo balcony would qualify.
AugustinD
Posts: 3,698
Posts: 3,698
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CarolV5 on 02/25/2022 11:27 AM
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
Such a generator might be a reasonable accommodation for a person who is disabled and on meds that must be refrigerated.
The net has a lot of chatter on this. Google for {generators condominiums}.
I think a condo association in Florida would be wise to develop and then vote on an amendment to the covenants on the use of generators.
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
A solar powered generator make noise LMAO ooooooooK I would take the solar generator than a gas generator all day long even that tiny Honda generator makes some noise.
In all seriousness tho, is the generator being used when the power goes out? There might be a legitimate purpose this person runs a generator. Either they are on an oxygen generator
or have some other durable medical equipment like a CPAP or BiPAP machine that needs electricity. Then it becomes a necessity rather than a want.
In all seriousness tho, is the generator being used when the power goes out? There might be a legitimate purpose this person runs a generator. Either they are on an oxygen generator
or have some other durable medical equipment like a CPAP or BiPAP machine that needs electricity. Then it becomes a necessity rather than a want.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
With all the speculation, it would be very courteous if CarolV would let us know some details.
SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699
Posts: 3,699
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CarolV5 on 02/25/2022 11:27 AM
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
What is the precedent, and what laws preside over a condo owner having a portable generator on the balcony?
Drive over to your local fire dept and ask them. They certainly know the laws.
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