Living @ The Vaux  requires good citizenship, forbearance, and a willingness to faithfully abide by the restrictions imposed by The Vaux's Bylaws, its incorporating Declaration, The Vaux Rules Handbook, and all policies of the Owners' Association Board of Directors.   To really understand all of an owner's rights and obligations, nothing substitutes for the documents themselves ...

 

 The Vaux Governing Documents

 

... and this page discussing the Rules Handbook is also informative ...

 

 House Rules

 

Some of the restrictions imposed may seem unusual, obscure, or just different from what one might expect.
Here, then, are some of the headlines ...

 

Rentals:
The number of units that are permitted to be rented out is strictly controlled.

• "At no time shall more than 30 percent of Primary Units be rented or occupied by non-Owner occupants."
  — (Bylaws 7.1.5)
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• The actual number of rentable units works out to 43.
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• Guests are guests for 2 weeks only.  After that they become occupants, and owners must then notify CMI of their name(s), move-in date, automobile description, and valid contact information, just as if they were tenants.
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• At the moment, 5 years into life @ The Vaux, the maximum number of rental units has been reached.   However, the Association maintains a waiting list with our property manager, CMI.  
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• As tenants come and go (and as owners' life plans change) rental opportunities do occur, and owners on the waiting list are then granted rental permission on a first-come, first-served basis.
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• To add your name & unit to the waiting list, contact CMI —
  •  
  • 503 233 0300
  • angelinak@communitymgt.com
    
    
• Permission to rent does not pass from one owner to another upon a unit sale.  The new owner must re-apply and join the waiting list, if no opening is available.

For more information, please read the pertinent Bylaws ...

 

 Section 7.1 of The Vaux Bylaws

 

Alterations & Additions:
All structural changes to a unit must be approved in writing by architectural review before work can proceed.

• "Structural change" means any alteration that penetrates a wall, ceiling, or floor.
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• In general, the more extensive the alteration proposed, the more stringent the requirements to gain approval become, and correspondingly, the less likely that approval will be granted.
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• Make all inquiries and proposals through CMI —
  •  
  • 503 233 0300
  • angelinak@communitymgt.com
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• It may be helpful to begin by submitting a rough description of the work contemplated for preliminary guidance.

For more information, please read the pertinent Bylaws and view typical plans ...

 

 Sections 7.5 and 8.3 of The Vaux Bylaws

 

 Grab Bar Backing Plate Drawings

 

 Acoustical Standards

 

Nuisances:
Consideration for fellow residents is paramount at The Vaux, and "noxious or offensive activities" that may disturb others are not allowed — (Bylaws 7.8) ...

• "Primary Unit occupants and their guests shall exercise extreme care not to make noises that may disturb other occupants or guests, including the use of musical instruments, radios, televisions and amplifiers."  — (Bylaws 7.8)
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• "Owners and other occupants shall not engage in any abusive or harassing behavior, either verbal or physical, or any form of intimidation or aggression directed at other Owners, occupants, guests, or invitees, or directed at the manager, its agents or employees, or vendors."  — (Bylaws 7.8)

For a more thorough discussion of what constitutes a nuisance and what does not, click here ...

 

 Section 7.8 of The Vaux Bylaws

 

Decks:
Decks, balconies, and patios are "limited common elements" that belong to the Owners' Association but are reserved for individual use ...

• "Nothing is to be kept on balconies that may detract from the appearance of the building, including but not limited to bicycles, ladders, storage boxes, indoor furniture. No items shall be placed or hung in a manner that would allow the item to fall from or blow off the balcony to the street or roof below."  — (Vaux Rules Handbook, page 11)

For more details, see The Rules Handbook ...

 

 Vaux Rules Handbook – Deck Usage

 

Garage:
The Vaux has 175 parking spaces in its garage, each individually owned, but all subject to Association rules ...

• "Parking Units are restricted to use for parking of operative motor vehicles; other items and equipment may be parked or kept therein only subject to the Rules and Regulations. The Board shall require removal of any inoperative vehicle, or any unsightly vehicle, or any other equipment or item improperly stored in Parking Units.
  1f the same is not removed, the Board shall cause removal at the risk and expense of the Owner thereof."  
  — (Bylaws 7.13)

 

Insurance:
The Owners' Association carries insurance for the common elements of The Vaux, but each owner must also insure the contents of his or her unit, so that an individual loss will not burden the rest of the owners.

• "Each Owner shall obtain, at his/her own expense, insurance covering personal property and liability. Renters are strongly urged to purchase a 'Renter's Policy.' "  — (Vaux Rules Handbook, page 7, and Bylaws 9.1)

Because the Association insures most parts of both buildings, the cost to individuals is surprisingly low.   To view insurance providers other owners have selected, click here ...

 

 Shops & Services

 

Fire Safety:
For the safety of firemen who, in the event of a fire, might have to risk their lives on The Vaux's behalf ...

• "No Unit Owner shall be permitted to use or store any propane grill, barbeque or turkey fryer on a porch, balcony, patio, or within any Unit. The Owners of certain Primary Units shall be permitted to use natural gas fired barbeques for use with the natural gas hook up on the balcony or patio adjoining such Owner's Primary Unit."  
  — (Bylaws 7.18)

For more on fire safety precautions, click here ...

 

 Safety Tips – Fire Safety

 

Courtyard:
The courtyard is one of the main features and ornaments of The Vaux, and it is the Association's duty to maintain it in the best possible condition for the owners' "peaceful and orderly use and enjoyment"  — (Bylaws 7.26)

• "The hours during which the courtyard may be used by Owners or occupants of Primary Units shall be generally limited to no earlier than 8 a.m. and no later than 10 p.m., provided, that the Board may allow in writing other hours of use for a special occasion or by appointment. The courtyard may not be used for gatherings, public performances, or commercial purposes without prior written approval of the Board."
  — (Bylaws, 7.22)
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• No one — no adult, child, or pet — may enter or play in the water features or courtyard landscaping.
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• Smoking is not allowed in the courtyard.

 

Children:
Children are welcome at The Vaux.  However ...

• For safety reasons, children must be supervised by an adult at all times while in common areas.  
  — (Vaux Rules Handbook, page 6).

 

Animals:
Pets are welcome at The Vaux, as long as owners observe the rules set forth in The Vaux Rules Handbook (page 11)
and the Bylaws (Section 7.15) ...

• Pets are limited to Domestic dogs, cats, and other household pets.
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• Pets must be leashed and attended while in common areas.
  
  
• Owners are liable for any damage caused by their pets.
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• Owners are urged to prevent their pets from relieving themselves within Vaux grounds or among Association-maintained plants on nearby sidewalks.
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• Owners must keep pets from jumping up on other residents while in common areas.
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• Removing pet waste is the owner's rsponsibility.

For more on pets, click here ...

 

 Section 7.15 of The Vaux Bylaws

 

Bicycles:
Bikes are bulky, and storing them in condo units can be trying.  Accordingly, the Owners' Association provides the only permissible alternative, as outlined here ...

• There are 2 bike storage rooms in the garage.  To join the waiting list for a space, apply through CMI —
  •  
  • 503 233 0300
  • angelinak@communitymgt.com
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• Bikes may not be stored on decks, balconies, or patios.
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• Bikes may not be stored at sidewalk stanchions, except temporarily.
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• Owners may not store inoperable bikes, or bikes with missing parts, in any public area.

For more details, take a look here ...

 

 Vaux Bicycle Storage Policy