West Winds HOA Parking Regulations
- West Winds HOA
- Aug 12, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 20
Understanding the West Winds HOA Parking and Vehicle Storage Guidelines
Maintaining aesthetic appeal and ensuring harmony among residents are top priorities when living in a beautiful community like West Winds. One way we achieve this is through our parking and vehicle storage guidelines. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to our neighborhood, understanding these rules is essential for ensuring compliance and avoiding any unnecessary fines or conflicts. Let’s dive into the specifics outlined in our Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) to keep our community looking its best.
Parking Restrictions: What You Need to Know
West Winds HOA has clear rules regarding the storage and parking of boats, campers, trailers, recreational vehicles, and commercial vehicles. These guidelines are outlined in sections 13.11, 13.29, and 13.32 of our CC&Rs to help maintain the visual appeal of our streets and the overall charm of our neighborhood.
13.11 Parking: Quick Overview
No Long-Term Parking: Boats, campers, trailers, recreational vehicles, and commercial vehicles cannot be stored or parked long-term on any Lot (or private alley) unless they are kept out of sight. This means they must be stored within an enclosed garage or in side and rear yard areas that are not visible from the street or neighboring properties. Short-term, infrequent parking (not to exceed 24 hours, every 30 days) of these vehicles is permitted for loading, unloading, cleaning, or maintenance purposes only. This short-term parking is meant to accommodate necessary tasks without compromising the community's visual standards.
Use of Common Areas: No vehicles, trailers, equipment, machinery, implements, or apparatus may be parked, operated, or driven in West Winds common areas, including West Winds Parks and HOA boulevards or open-space areas unless it’s for HOA-authorized common area maintenance purposes only.
13.29 Violation of Law
No Owner shall permit anything to be done or kept in or upon his Lot or in or upon any Common Areas which will result in the violation of any law or other applicable requirement of governmental authorities.
13.32 Vehicles: Detailed Guidelines
Vehicle Storage: The rules clearly specify the types of vehicles that cannot be stored on a private alley or your Lot (including your driveway, front yard, or backyard) unless they are completely enclosed in a garage or properly screened from view, as approved by the HOA's Architectural Control Committee (ACC). These include, but are not limited to, campers, boats, marine craft, snowmobiles, golf carts, trailers, UTVs, ATVs, Side-by-Sides, motor homes, and other recreational vehicles, as well as any implements, machinery, commercial and non-passenger vehicles.
Operability Requirement: All vehicles and accessories must be in operable condition. The ACC has the authority to determine if a vehicle is operable and whether it meets the enclosure and screening requirements. If the ACC finds a vehicle or accessory non-compliant, it must be removed or brought into compliance promptly.
Motor Vehicles. No vehicles or similar equipment will be parked or stored in an area visible from any street except passenger automobiles, passenger vans, motorcycles, pick-up trucks, and pick-up trucks with attached bed campers that are in operating condition and have current license plates and are in daily use as motor vehicles on the streets and highways of the State of Montana.
No Dismantling or Assembling: Except for emergency repairs, dismantling or assembling vehicles, boats, or machinery in driveways or yards adjacent to the street is prohibited for safety and visual reasons.
Recreational Vehicles and Short-Term Parking: If you own a recreational vehicle under 20 feet in length, you may park it on your driveway for up to 24 hours for cleaning, loading, or unloading purposes only, provided you do this no more than once every 30 days. However, you must obtain written permission from the HOA to park for the short term.
Parking on Landscaped Areas: It is also important to note that no vehicles or similar equipment may be parked on the landscaped areas of any Lot or Common Area except as provided by Section 13.22. This rule ensures that our community’s green spaces remain pristine and that landscaping is protected from potential damage caused by vehicles or other equipment.
Special Considerations
Commercial Vehicles (gross vehicle weight greater than 1 Ton): Larger commercial vehicles must be parked within enclosed structures to prevent visibility from adjacent lots and streets unless temporarily in use for nearby construction or repairs.
Prohibited Vehicles: No vehicles transporting flammable or explosive materials may be kept on the property at any time.
Unused and Inoperable Vehicles
Storage of Unused Vehicles: Vehicles not driven for over 30 consecutive days must be stored in a garage.
Inoperable Vehicles Prohibition: Any abandoned or inoperable vehicle must not be stored or located on any Lot, maintaining the community's visual appeal.
The Association can remove such vehicles with 48 hours' notice, and the owner will be charged for the removal.
Who’s Responsible for Enforcing These Rules?
It’s important to understand the distinction between HOA enforcement and city regulations. The West Winds HOA is responsible for enforcing parking and storage rules on individual Lots within the community as outlined in the CC&Rs. However, unless specifically denoted in the West Winds CC&Rs, the HOA is NOT responsible for enforcing parking regulations on city streets.
If you notice a vehicle, boat, camper, trailer, RV, etc., parked on a public city street for more than 72 hours, the City of Bozeman’s Neighborhood Services/Parking Division is responsible for addressing the issue.
City of Bozeman Street Parking Regulations
According to the City of Bozeman Municipal Code (Sec. 36.04.260), all vehicles parked on public city streets must move at least every 72 hours. This ensures that public streets are used appropriately and not for long-term vehicle storage.
To avoid a citation, vehicles should move at least 500 feet, roughly the length of two football fields.
The City of Bozeman’s Parking Services Division enforces this regulation with a $30 citation. If Parking Enforcement Officers find that a vehicle hasn’t moved in at least five business days, they will arrange for Best Rate Towing to tow it, which could result in towing fees of up to $500, plus daily storage fees.
How to Report a Parking Violation on City Streets
If you encounter a vehicle violating the 72-hour parking rule on a city street, you’ll need to report it directly to the City of Bozeman’s Parking Enforcement Division. The West Winds HOA does not have jurisdiction over these issues.
To file a city parking complaint, visit the City of Bozeman’s Parking Services page. You can also learn more about the City’s parking regulations by visiting their website.
Conclusion
We all contribute to keeping West Winds a beautiful place to live. By following these parking and vehicle storage guidelines, you contribute to a safe, attractive, and harmonious community. Remember, the HOA enforces parking rules on individual lots, but for any issues on city streets, it’s essential to contact the appropriate city authorities.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining the charm of West Winds!
The content provided in this blog/news story is intended for informational purposes only. It is designed to offer a simplified and reader-friendly overview of pertinent sections of the West Wind HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as the relevant city of Bozeman regulations, ordinances, or laws. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this content should not be considered a substitute for the actual governing documents, applicable city laws, ordinances, or legal advice. Homeowners and residents are advised to consult the full, legally binding governing documents and city regulations or seek professional legal counsel for official reference or legal purposes.
