Rules & Regulations

NOTE: Both PDF and Word versions of the Rules & Regulations are attached as downloadable files below.

CAMBRIDGE COHOUSING

RULES AND REGULATIONS

I.     PARKING  (Initially adopted 6/15/97)

A.   Policies .  The purposes of this regulation are as follows:

• To provide fairness, minimize conflict, and retain flexibility.

• To help maintain good relations with our neighbors by minimizing street parking by CCH residents.

• To encourage unscheduled interaction among members through centralized parking.

• In accordance with our vision statement, to encourage use of public transportation, and healthy, non-polluting forms of travel such as walking and biking.

B.   Rules.

• All units (except those belonging to the Cambridge Housing Authority) shall have deeded rights to an unspecified parking space in the garage.

• No owner may sell that right.

• The Managing Board will be responsible for assigning spaces in the garage and in the East End parking lot, taking into consideration any special needs and convenience of the residents.  Such assignments may be reviewed and changed at the request of residents.

• Spaces not assigned on account of a deeded right may be rented by the Managing Board to residents of CCH, for the benefit of the Association.

• The CCH space in the West End, and at least two spaces in the East End lot shall be left unassigned for drop-off, delivery, live-parking, etc.

• Unit owners who do not own cars may rent their spaces only to other residents of CCH, at rental rates not to exceed a maximum to be established by the Managing Board, based on local market rates for such spaces and reviewable annually. 

• Parking of RVs and boats on trailers anywhere on the CCH property must be approved by the Association.

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Parking Rules for Cambridge Cohousing: a clarification --revised January 2010 

Background: Cambridge Cohousing has 48 parking spots, including 40 in the garage, 5 in the East End and 2 in the driveway near the guest rooms. We also have one spot in the West End lot that we rent out. Parking policies are set out in the Master Deed, Provision 3.7, and by the Rules and Regulations. The rules that follow are intended by the Managing Board to clarify several issues that have arisen: 

1. Allocation of the parking garage and outdoor spaces is managed  solely by the CCH Managing Board (MB). 

2. All Unit owners are entitled to one parking spot-(indoors or outdoors)--not a specific spot. The equitable distribution of spaces will always rest with the MB.

3. Parking spaces will be assigned along the following principles: 

   • Handicapped (HP) spaces: to ensure residents' health and safety, HP spaces will be assigned to residents who require them. Other health considerations, such as closer access for those who have difficulty walking, will also be given priority.

   • If two owners want to exchange spaces, they can suggest  this to the MB. However the final decision on exchanges rests with the MB. 

4. Parking spaces may not be sold; however with prior permission of the Managing Board, spaces may be rented-but only to CoHo residents. Handicapped spaces may NOT be rented out. If an owner assigned an HP space no longer needs it, he or she will be offered a regular space which they may rent out, and the MB will reassign the HP space. 

5. At no time is the parking space to be used as a general storage area, although bicycles may be hung and metal objects may be stored, assuming they do not interfere with parking. STORAGE OF EDIBLE OR FLAMMABLE MATERIALS IS PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES. 

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II. ACCESSORY USES OF UNITS  (adopted 6/29/97)

Policies.  The purposes of this regulation are as follows:

• Members are permitted to work out of their home, provided they do not create excessive foot traffic, noise, mail/delivery problems or other nuisances, or use excessive amounts of common utilities.

Rules

• Use of units for non-residential, business purposes must be approved by the Managing Board, which may impose reasonable requirements and limitations and/or a trial period.

• All uses must be legal and licensed if appropriate and required.

• Security must be maintained on site; if appropriate, 3d party insurance shall be carried by the unit owner.

• There shall be no signs, lights or other displays on site.

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III.   RENTALS  - REVISED APRIL 15, 2007. The current policy document is embedded below.

IV. PETS:  (Adopted 7/31/97)

POLICIES:

• While members of the community should be able to enjoy pets, they must take responsibility to ensure that the pets do not disturb or become a nuisance to others.

• The neutering or spaying of dogs and cats is favored, to discourage aggressiveness, smelly spraying, noisy displays, and attraction of other animals.

• Cats should preferably be kept inside the owners' unit, to discourage use of tot-lot and garden areas as a litter box, to reduce the likelihood of flea infestations, and limit the potential for spreading allergens in common indoor areas.

• The number of pets in a unit should be subject to reasonable limits.

• The keeping of exotic animals and reptiles (particularly those which are known to spread salmonella) is discouraged.

RULES:

1.    Owners must ensure that their pets do not become a nuisance or disturb others.

2.    If pets continue to be a nuisance after the owner has been notified, the Managing Board will require the owner to take appropriate action, including getting rid of the pet.

3.    No pets are allowed in indoor common spaces, except when passing through.

4.    Pets in outdoor common spaces must be on a leash or otherwise under the immediate control of the owner.

5.    "Pooper-scooper" rules will be followed on the property of the condominium.

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V. SMOKING  (Original rule has been SUPERSEDED BY AN AMENDMENT TO THE MASTER DEED, copied below

VI. UTILITY COST RECOVERY POLICY (Approved December 12, 2004)

A. Policies. The purposes of this rule are as follows: 

• To provide for improved "fairness" in the recovery of the cost of utilities based on usage rather than size of unit.

• To encourage conservation by making residents aware of their utility use. 

B. Rules.

1. The attached Calculation Sheet will be distributed to all Unit Owners on an annual basis some time after the Annual Meeting together with the average cost per kWh for the prior year. All Owners will be required to return the form indicating whether or not they are making exceptional use of utilities. Owners should complete all the columns; it is particularly important to show the power demand (in Watts) for any electrical equipment. 

2. Exceptional uses of utilities by individual Unit Owners will be subject to a surcharge based on the estimated demand and utility costs. The surcharge will be billed at the end of the fiscal year and (for electrical use) calculated using the average cost per kilowatt-hour for the past year. To qualify, the exceptional use must be: 

   • Identifiable -- There must be distinct, identifiable causes (e.g. a specific activity or use such as an air conditioner, space heater, power tools or hot tub). Merely leaving many lights on in every room would not qualify. 

   • Quantifiable -- The financial impact of the use must be measurable or capable of estimation based on the power demand of the equipment involved and the typical use. 

   • Significant -- The total excess cost must exceed $120 per year. If estimated excess costs exceed $120 per year per unit, the entire excess cost will be billed to the individual Unit Owner as a surcharge.

3. If requested, the Board will discuss the amount of any proposed surcharge with the Unit Owner before it is imposed. The surcharge may be waived in situations where the central HVAC is unable to provide adequate heat or cooling. If the Unit Owner feels that the surcharge is unreasonable and the Board disagrees, the Owner may bring the issue to the General Meeting for discussion. 

4. This policy will not apply to offices in the EE basement that are rented to Unit Owners by Cambridge Cohousing. To the extent the demand by an office meets the criteria of "exceptional" use, a surcharge will be included in the office rent. 

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VII. GRILLING POLICY (Adopted February 19, 2024 by Board consent)

Pursuant to Cambridge regulations 10.11.6.1 and 10.11.6.2:

Cooking: No hibachi, gas-fired grill, charcoal grill, or other similar devices used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose, shall be used or kindled on any wooden deck, porch, or balcony, or under any overhanging portion, or within 10 ft (3 m) of any structure.

Storage: No hibachi, grill, or similar devices used for cooking shall be stored on a wooden deck, porch or balcony. Propane (gas) containers should be stored outdoors, at least three feet from any door, window or air intake.

(Note that we have reworded Cambridge regulations 10.11.6.1 and 10.11.6.2 to apply to our particular property. It is not our intent to modify the Cambridge regulations in any way.)

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