Bill Text: AZ SB1149 | 2011 | Fiftieth Legislature 1st Regular | Engrossed


Bill Title: Planned communities; condominiums; document fees

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-12 - Governor Signed [SB1149 Detail]

Download: Arizona-2011-SB1149-Engrossed.html

 

 

 

House Engrossed Senate Bill

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fiftieth Legislature

First Regular Session

2011

 

 

SENATE BILL 1149

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

amending sections 33‑1256, 33-1260, 33‑1261, 33-1806, 33‑1807 and 33‑1808, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to condominiums and planned communities.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Section 33-1256, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE33-1256.  Lien for assessments; priority; mechanics' and materialmen's liens; applicability

A.  The association has a lien on a unit for any assessment levied against that unit from the time the assessment becomes due.  The association's lien for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments may be foreclosed in the same manner as a mortgage on real estate but may be foreclosed only if the owner has been delinquent in the payment of monies secured by the lien, excluding reasonable collection fees, reasonable attorney fees and charges for late payment of and costs incurred with respect to those assessments, for a period of one year or in the amount of one thousand two hundred dollars or more, whichever occurs first.  Fees, charges, late charges, monetary penalties and interest charged pursuant to section 33‑1242, subsection A, paragraphs 10, 11 and 12, other than charges for late payment of assessments, are not enforceable as assessments under this section.  If an assessment is payable in installments, the full amount of the assessment is a lien from the time the first installment of the assessment becomes due.  The association has a lien for fees, charges, late charges, other than charges for late payment of assessments, monetary penalties or interest charged pursuant to section 33‑1242, subsection A, paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 after the entry of a judgment in a civil suit for those fees, charges, late charges, monetary penalties or interest from a court of competent jurisdiction and the recording of that judgment in the office of the county recorder as otherwise provided by law.  The association's lien for monies other than for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments may not be foreclosed and is effective only on conveyance of any interest in the real property.

B.  A lien for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments under this section is prior to all other liens, interests and encumbrances on a unit except:

1.  Liens and encumbrances recorded before the recordation of the declaration.

2.  A recorded first mortgage on the unit, a seller's interest in a first contract for sale pursuant to chapter 6, article 3 of this title on the unit recorded prior to the lien arising pursuant to subsection A of this section or a recorded first deed of trust on the unit.

3.  Liens for real estate taxes and other governmental assessments or charges against the unit.

C.  Subsection B of this section does not affect the priority of mechanics' or materialmen's liens or the priority of liens for other assessments made by the association.  The lien under this section is not subject to chapter 8 of this title.

D.  Unless the declaration otherwise provides, if two or more associations have liens for assessments created at any time on the same real estate, those liens have equal priority.

E.  Recording of the declaration constitutes record notice and perfection of the lien for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments.  Further recordation of any claim of lien for assessments under this section is not required.

F.  A lien for unpaid assessments is extinguished unless proceedings to enforce the lien are instituted within three years after the full amount of the assessments becomes due.

G.  This section does not prohibit actions to recover sums for which subsection A of this section creates a lien or does not prohibit an association from taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

H.  A judgment or decree in any action brought under this section shall include costs and reasonable attorney fees for the prevailing party.

I.  The association on written request shall furnish to a lienholder, escrow agent, unit owner or person designated by a unit owner a statement setting forth the amount of unpaid assessments against the unit.  The statement shall be furnished within fifteen ten days after receipt of the request and the statement is binding on the association, the board of directors and every unit owner if the statement is requested by an escrow agency that is licensed pursuant to title 6, chapter 7.  Failure to provide the statement to the escrow agent within the time provided for in this subsection shall extinguish any lien for any unpaid assessment then due.

J.  The association shall record in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the condominium is located a notice stating the name of the association or designated agent or management company for the association, the address for the association and the telephone number of the association or its designated agent or management company.  The notice shall include the name of the condominium community, the date of the recording and the recorded instrument number or book and page for the main document that constitutes the declaration.  If an association's address, designated agent or management company changes, the association shall amend its notice or record a new notice within ninety days after the change.

K.  Notwithstanding any provision in the condominium documents or in any contract between the association and a management company, unless the member directs otherwise, all payments received on a member's account shall be applied first to any unpaid assessments, for unpaid charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for unpaid attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments, in that order, with any remaining amounts applied next to other unpaid fees, charges and monetary penalties or interest and late charges on any of those amounts.

L.  This section does not apply to timeshare plans or associations that are subject to chapter 20 of this title. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Section 33-1260, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE33-1260.  Resale of units; information required; fees; civil penalty; applicability; definition

A.  For condominiums with fewer than fifty units, a unit owner shall mail or deliver to a purchaser or a purchaser's authorized agent within ten days after receipt of a written notice of a pending sale of the unit, and for condominiums with fifty or more units, the association shall mail or deliver to a purchaser or a purchaser's authorized agent within ten days after receipt of a written notice of a pending sale that contains the name and address of the purchaser, all of the following in either paper or electronic format:

1.  A copy of the bylaws and the rules of the association.

2.  A copy of the declaration.

3.  A dated statement containing:

(a)  The telephone number and address of a principal contact for the association, which may be an association manager, an association management company, an officer of the association or any other person designated by the board of directors.

(b)  The amount of the common expense assessment for the unit and any unpaid common expense assessment, special assessment or other assessment, fee or charge currently due and payable from the selling unit owner.  if the request is made by a lienholder, escrow agent, unit owner or person designated by a unit owner pursuant to section 33-1256, failure to provide the information pursuant to this subdivision within the time provided for in this subsection shall extinguish any lien for any unpaid assessment then due against that unit.

(c)  A statement as to whether a portion of the unit is covered by insurance maintained by the association.

(d)  The total amount of money held by the association as reserves.

(e)  If the statement is being furnished by the association, a statement as to whether the records of the association reflect any alterations or improvements to the unit that violate the declaration.  The association is not obligated to provide information regarding alterations or improvements that occurred more than six years before the proposed sale. Nothing in this subdivision relieves the seller of a unit from the obligation to disclose alterations or improvements to the unit that violate the declaration, nor precludes the association from taking action against the purchaser of a unit for violations that are apparent at the time of purchase and that are not reflected in the association's records.

(f)  If the statement is being furnished by the unit owner, a statement as to whether the unit owner has any knowledge of any alterations or improvements to the unit that violate the declaration.

(g)  A statement of case names and case numbers for pending litigation with respect to the unit filed by the association against the unit owner or filed by the unit owner against the association.  The unit owner or the association shall not be required to disclose information concerning the pending litigation that would violate any applicable rule of attorney‑client privilege under Arizona law.

(h)  A statement that provides "I hereby acknowledge that the declaration, bylaws and rules of the association constitute a contract between the association and me (the purchaser).  By signing this statement, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the association's contract with me (the purchaser).  I also understand that as a matter of Arizona law, if I fail to pay my association assessments, the association may foreclose on my property."  The statement shall also include a signature line for the purchaser and shall be returned to the association within fourteen calendar days.

4.  A copy of the current operating budget of the association.

5.  A copy of the most recent annual financial report of the association.  If the report is more than ten pages, the association may provide a summary of the report in lieu of the entire report.

6.  A copy of the most recent reserve study of the association, if any.

7.  A statement summarizing any pending lawsuits, except those relating to the collection of assessments owed by unit owners other than the selling unit owner, in which the association is a named party, including the amount of any money claimed.

B.  A purchaser or seller who is damaged by the failure of the unit owner or the association to disclose the information required by subsection A of this section may pursue all remedies at law or in equity against the unit owner or the association, whichever failed to comply with subsection A of this section, including the recovery of reasonable attorney fees.

C.  The association may charge the unit owner a reasonable fee of no more than an aggregate of four hundred dollars to compensate the association for the costs incurred in the preparation of a statement or other documents furnished by the association pursuant to this section for purposes of resale disclosure, lien estoppel and any other services related to the transfer or use of the property.  In addition, the association may charge a rush fee of no more than one hundred dollars if the rush services are required to be performed within seventy-two hours after the request for rush services, and may charge a statement or other documents update fee of no more than fifty dollars if thirty days or more have passed since the date of the original disclosure statement or documents were delivered.  The association shall make available to any interested party the amount of any fee established from time to time by the association.  if the aggregate fee for purposes of resale disclosure, lien estoppel and any other services related to the transfer or use of a property is less than four hundred dollars on January 1, 2010, the fee may increase at a rate of no more than twenty per cent per year based on the immediately preceding fiscal year's amount NOT TO EXCEED THE FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR AGGREGATE FEE.  The association may charge the same fee without regard to whether the association is furnishing the statement or other documents in paper or electronic format.

D.  The fees prescribed by this section shall be collected no earlier than at the close of escrow and may only be charged once to a unit owner for that transaction BETWEEN THE PARTIES SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION A of this section.  An association shall not charge or collect a fee relating to services for resale disclosure, lien estoppel and any other services related to the transfer or use of a property except as specifically authorized in this section.  An association that charges or collects a fee in violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of no more than one thousand two hundred dollars.

E.  This section applies to a managing agent for an association that is acting on behalf of the association.

D.  F.  A sale in which a public report is issued pursuant to sections 32‑2183 and 32‑2197.02 or a sale pursuant to section 32‑2181.02 is exempt from this section.

E.  G.  This section does not apply to timeshare plans or associations that are subject to chapter 20 of this title.

F.  H.  For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "unit owner" means the seller of the condominium unit title and excludes any real estate salesperson or real estate broker who is licensed under title 32, chapter 20 and who is acting as a salesperson or broker and also excludes a trustee of a deed of trust who is selling the property in a trustee's sale pursuant to chapter 6.1 of this title. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3.  Section 33-1261, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE33-1261.  Flag display; for sale signs; political petitions; applicability

A.  Notwithstanding any provision in the condominium documents, an association shall not prohibit the outdoor display of any of the following:

1.  The American flag or an official or replica of a flag of the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps or coast guard by a unit owner on that unit owner's property if the American flag or military flag is displayed in a manner consistent with the federal flag code (P.L. 94‑344; 90 Stat. 810; 4 United States Code sections 4 through 10).

2.  The POW/MIA flag.

3.  The Arizona state flag.

4.  An Arizona Indian nations flag.

B.  The association shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations regarding the placement and manner of display of the American flag, the military flag, the POW/MIA flag, the Arizona state flag or an Arizona Indian nations flag.  The association rules may regulate the location and size of flagpoles but shall not prohibit the installation of a flagpole.

C.  Notwithstanding any provision in the condominium documents, an association shall not prohibit or charge any fee for the use of, the placement of or the indoor or outdoor display of a for sale sign and a sign rider by a unit owner on that owner's property, including a sign that indicates the unit owner is offering the property for sale by owner.  The size of a sign offering a property for sale shall be in conformance with the industry standard size sign, which shall not exceed eighteen by twenty-four inches, and the industry standard size sign rider, which shall not exceed six by twenty-four inches.  With respect to real estate for sale or lease in the condominium, an association shall not prohibit in any way other than as specifically authorized by this section or otherwise regulate any of the following:

1.  Temporary open house signs or a unit owner's for sale sign.  The association shall not require the use of particular signs indicating an open house or real property for sale and may not further regulate the use of temporary open house or for sale signs that are industry standard size and that are owned or used by the seller or the seller's agent.

2.  Open house hours.  The association may not limit the hours for an open house for real estate that is for sale in the condominium, except that the association may prohibit an open house being held before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. and may prohibit open house signs on the common elements of the condominium.

3.  An owner's or an owner's agent's for lease sign unless an association's documents prohibit or restrict leasing of a unit or units.  An association shall not further regulate a for lease sign or require the use of a particular for lease sign other than the for lease sign shall not be any larger than the industry standard size sign of eighteen by twenty‑four inches and on or in the unit owner's property.  If leasing of a unit is allowed, the association may prohibit open house leasing being held before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.

D.  Notwithstanding any provision in the condominium documents, an association shall not prohibit but may reasonably regulate the circulation of political petitions, including candidate nomination petitions or petitions in support of or opposition to an initiative, referendum or recall or other political issue on property dedicated to the public within the association.  A condominium is not required to comply with this subsection if the condominium restricts vehicular or pedestrian access to the condominium.  Nothing in this subsection requires a condominium to make its common elements available for the circulation of political petitions to anyone who is not an owner or resident of the community.

E.  An association or managing agent that violates subsection C of this section forfeits and extinguishes the lien rights authorized under section 33-1256 against that unit for a period of six consecutive months from the date of this violation.

E.  F.  This section does not apply to timeshare plans or associations that are subject to chapter 20 of this title. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4.  Section 33-1806, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE33-1806.  Resale of units; information required; fees; civil penalty; definition

A.  For planned communities with fewer than fifty units, a member shall mail or deliver to a purchaser or a purchaser's authorized agent within ten days after receipt of a written notice of a pending sale of the unit, and for planned communities with fifty or more units, the association shall mail or deliver to a purchaser or a purchaser's authorized agent within ten days after receipt of a written notice of a pending sale that contains the name and address of the purchaser, all of the following in either paper or electronic format:

1.  A copy of the bylaws and the rules of the association.

2.  A copy of the declaration.

3.  A dated statement containing:

(a)  The telephone number and address of a principal contact for the association, which may be an association manager, an association management company, an officer of the association or any other person designated by the board of directors.

(b)  The amount of the common regular assessment and the unpaid common regular assessment, special assessment or other assessment, fee or charge currently due and payable from the selling member.  If the request is made by a lienholder, escrow agent, member or person designated by a member pursuant to section 33‑1807, failure to provide the information pursuant to this subdivision within the time provided for in this subsection shall extinguish any lien for any unpaid assessment then due against that property.

(c)  A statement as to whether a portion of the unit is covered by insurance maintained by the association.

(d)  The total amount of money held by the association as reserves.

(e)  If the statement is being furnished by the association, a statement as to whether the records of the association reflect any alterations or improvements to the unit that violate the declaration.  The association is not obligated to provide information regarding alterations or improvements that occurred more than six years before the proposed sale. Nothing in this subdivision relieves the seller of a unit from the obligation to disclose alterations or improvements to the unit that violate the declaration, nor precludes the association from taking action against the purchaser of a unit for violations that are apparent at the time of purchase and that are not reflected in the association's records.

(f)  If the statement is being furnished by the member, a statement as to whether the member has any knowledge of any alterations or improvements to the unit that violate the declaration.

(g)  A statement of case names and case numbers for pending litigation with respect to the unit filed by the association against the member or filed by the member against the association.  The member shall not be required to disclose information concerning such pending litigation which that would violate any applicable rule of attorney‑client privilege under Arizona law.

(h)  A statement that provides "I hereby acknowledge that the declaration, bylaws and rules of the association constitute a contract between the association and me (the purchaser).  By signing this statement, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the association's contract with me (the purchaser).  I also understand that as a matter of Arizona law, if I fail to pay my association assessments, the association may foreclose on my property."  The statement shall also include a signature line for the purchaser and shall be returned to the association within fourteen calendar days.

4.  A copy of the current operating budget of the association.

5.  A copy of the most recent annual financial report of the association.  If the report is more than ten pages, the association may provide a summary of the report in lieu of the entire report.

6.  A copy of the most recent reserve study of the association, if any.

7.  A statement summarizing any pending lawsuits, EXCEPT THOSE RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS OWED BY MEMBERS OTHER THAN THE SELLING MEMBER, in which the association is a named party, including the amount of any money claimed.

B.  A purchaser or seller who is damaged by the failure of the member or the association to disclose the information required by subsection A of this section may pursue all remedies at law or in equity against the member or the association, whichever failed to comply with subsection A of this section, including the recovery of reasonable attorney fees.

C.  The association may charge the member a reasonable fee of no more than an aggregate of four hundred dollars to compensate the association for the costs incurred in the preparation of a statement or other documents furnished by the association pursuant to this section for purposes of resale disclosure, lien estoppel and any other services related to the transfer or use of the property.  In addition, the association may charge a rush fee of no more than one hundred dollars if the rush services are required to be performed within seventy-two hours after the request for rush services, and may charge a statement or other documents update fee of no more than fifty dollars if thirty days or more have passed since the date of the original disclosure statement or documents were delivered.  The association shall make available to any interested party the amount of any fee established from time to time by the association.  if the aggregate fee for purposes of resale disclosure, lien estoppel and any other services related to the transfer or use of a property is less than four hundred dollars on January 1, 2010, the fee may increase at a rate of no more than twenty per cent per year based on the immediately preceding fiscal year's amount NOT TO EXCEED THE FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR AGGREGATE FEE.  The association may charge the same fee without regard to whether the association is furnishing the statement or other documents in paper or electronic format.

D.  The fees prescribed by this section shall be collected no earlier than at the close of escrow and may only be charged once to a member for that transaction BETWEEN THE PARTIES SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION A of this section.  An association shall not charge or collect a fee relating to services for resale disclosure, lien estoppel and any other services related to the transfer or use of a property except as SPECIFICALLY authorized in this section.  An association that charges or collects a fee in violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of no more than one thousand two hundred dollars.

E.  This section applies to A managing agent for an association that is acting on behalf of the association.

D.  F.  A sale in which a public report is issued pursuant to sections 32‑2183 and 32‑2197.02 or a sale pursuant to section 32‑2181.02 is exempt from this section.

E.  G.  For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "member" means the seller of the unit title and excludes any real estate salesperson or real estate broker who is licensed under title 32, chapter 20 and who is acting as a salesperson or broker and also excludes a trustee of a deed of trust who is selling the property in a trustee's sale pursuant to chapter 6.1 of this title. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5.  Section 33-1807, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE33-1807.  Lien for assessments; priority; mechanics' and materialmen's liens

A.  The association has a lien on a unit for any assessment levied against that unit from the time the assessment becomes due.  The association's lien for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments may be foreclosed in the same manner as a mortgage on real estate but may be foreclosed only if the owner has been delinquent in the payment of monies secured by the lien, excluding reasonable collection fees, reasonable attorney fees and charges for late payment of and costs incurred with respect to those assessments, for a period of one year or in the amount of one thousand two hundred dollars or more, whichever occurs first.  Fees, charges, late charges, monetary penalties and interest charged pursuant to section 33‑1803, other than charges for late payment of assessments are not enforceable as assessments under this section.  If an assessment is payable in installments, the full amount of the assessment is a lien from the time the first installment of the assessment becomes due.  The association has a lien for fees, charges, late charges, other than charges for late payment of assessments, monetary penalties or interest charged pursuant to section 33‑1803 after the entry of a judgment in a civil suit for those fees, charges, late charges, monetary penalties or interest from a court of competent jurisdiction and the recording of that judgment in the office of the county recorder as otherwise provided by law.  The association's lien for monies other than for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments may not be foreclosed and is effective only on conveyance of any interest in the real property.

B.  A lien for assessments, for charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments under this section is prior to all other liens, interests and encumbrances on a unit except:

1.  Liens and encumbrances recorded before the recordation of the declaration.

2.  A recorded first mortgage on the unit, a seller's interest in a first contract for sale pursuant to chapter 6, article 3 of this title on the unit recorded prior to the lien arising pursuant to subsection A of this section or a recorded first deed of trust on the unit.

3.  Liens for real estate taxes and other governmental assessments or charges against the unit.

C.  Subsection B of this section does not affect the priority of mechanics' or materialmen's liens or the priority of liens for other assessments made by the association.  The lien under this section is not subject to chapter 8 of this title.

D.  Unless the declaration otherwise provides, if two or more associations have liens for assessments created at any time on the same real estate those liens have equal priority.

E.  Recording of the declaration constitutes record notice and perfection of the lien for assessments, for charges for late payment of assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments.  Further recordation of any claim of lien for assessments under this section is not required.

F.  A lien for an unpaid assessment is extinguished unless proceedings to enforce the lien are instituted within three years after the full amount of the assessment becomes due.

G.  This section does not prohibit:

1.  Actions to recover amounts for which subsection A of this section creates a lien.

2.  An association from taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

H.  A judgment or decree in any action brought under this section shall include costs and reasonable attorney fees for the prevailing party.

I.  On written request, the association shall furnish to a lienholder, escrow agent, unit owner or person designated by a unit owner a statement setting forth the amount of any unpaid assessment against the unit.  The association shall furnish the statement within fifteen ten days after receipt of the request, and the statement is binding on the association, the board of directors and every unit owner if the statement is requested by an escrow agency that is licensed pursuant to title 6, chapter 7.  Failure to provide the statement to the escrow agent within the time provided for in this subsection shall extinguish any lien for any unpaid assessment then due.

J.  The association shall record in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the planned community is located a notice stating the name of the association or designated agent or management company for the association, the address for the association and the telephone number of the association or its designated agent or management company.  The notice shall include the name of the planned community, the date of the recording and the recorded instrument number or book and page for the main document that constitutes the declaration.  If an association's address, designated agent or management company changes, the association shall amend its notice or record a new notice within ninety days after the change.

K.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents or in any contract between the association and a management company, unless the member directs otherwise, all payments received on a member's account shall be applied first to any unpaid assessments, for unpaid charges for late payment of those assessments, for reasonable collection fees and for unpaid attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to those assessments, in that order, with any remaining amounts applied next to other unpaid fees, charges and monetary penalties or interest and late charges on any of those amounts. END_STATUTE

Sec. 6.  Section 33-1808, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE33-1808.  Flag display; political signs; caution signs; for sale signs; political petitions

A.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the outdoor display of any of the following:

1.  The American flag or an official or replica of a flag of the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps or coast guard by an association member on that member's property if the American flag or military flag is displayed in a manner consistent with the federal flag code (P.L. 94‑344; 90 Stat. 810; 4 United States Code sections 4 through 10).

2.  The POW/MIA flag.

3.  The Arizona state flag.

4.  An Arizona Indian nations flag.

B.  The association shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations regarding the placement and manner of display of the American flag, the military flag, the POW/MIA flag, the Arizona state flag or an Arizona Indian nations flag.  The association rules may regulate the location and size of flagpoles but shall not prohibit the installation of a flagpole.

C.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on that member's property, except that an association may prohibit the display of political signs earlier than forty‑five days before the day of an election and later than seven days after an election day.  An association may regulate the size and number of political signs that may be placed on a member's property if the association's regulation is no more restrictive than any applicable city, town or county ordinance that regulates the size and number of political signs on residential property.  If the city, town or county in which the property is located does not regulate the size and number of political signs on residential property, the association shall permit at least one political sign with the maximum dimensions of twenty‑four inches by twenty‑four inches on a member's property.  For the purposes of this subsection, "political sign" means a sign that attempts to influence the outcome of an election, including supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer or supporting or opposing the circulation of a petition for a ballot measure, question or proposition or the recall of a public officer.

D.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the use of cautionary signs regarding children if the signs are used and displayed as follows:

1.  The signs are displayed in residential areas only.

2.  The signs are removed within one hour of children ceasing to play.

3.  The signs are displayed only when children are actually present within fifty feet of the sign.

4.  The temporary signs are no taller than three feet in height.

5.  The signs are professionally manufactured or produced.

E.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit children who reside in the planned community from engaging in recreational activity on residential roadways that are under the jurisdiction of the association and on which the posted speed limit is twenty-five miles per hour or less.

F.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit or charge any fee for the use of, the placement of or the indoor or outdoor display of a for sale sign and a sign rider by an association member on that member's property, including a sign that indicates the member is offering the property for sale by owner.  The size of a sign offering a property for sale shall be in conformance with the industry standard size sign, which shall not exceed eighteen by twenty-four inches, and the industry standard size sign rider, which shall not exceed six by twenty‑four inches.  With respect to real estate for sale or lease in the planned community, an association shall not prohibit or otherwise regulate in any way other than specifically authorized by this section any of the following:

1.  Temporary open house signs or a unit owner's member's for sale sign.  The association shall not require the use of particular signs indicating an open house or real property for sale and may not further regulate the use of temporary open house or for sale signs that are industry standard size and that are owned or used by the seller or the seller's agent.

2.  Open house hours.  The association may not limit the hours for an open house for real estate that is for sale in the planned community, except that the association may prohibit an open house being held before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. and may prohibit open house signs on the common areas of the planned community.

3.  An owner's or an owner's agent's for lease sign unless an association's documents prohibit or restrict leasing of a member's property. An association shall not further regulate a for lease sign or require the use of a particular for lease sign other than the for lease sign shall not be any larger than the industry standard size sign of eighteen by twenty‑four inches on or in the member's property.  If leasing of a member's property is not prohibited or restricted, the association may prohibit open house leasing being held before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.

G.  Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit but may reasonably regulate the circulation of political petitions, including candidate nomination petitions or petitions in support of or opposition to an initiative, referendum or recall or other political issue on property dedicated to the public within the association.  A planned community is not required to comply with this subsection if the planned community restricts vehicular or pedestrian access to the planned community.  Nothing in this subsection requires a planned community to make its common elements available for the circulation of political petitions to anyone who is not an owner or resident of the community.

H.  An association or managing agent that violates subsection f of this section forfeits and extinguishes the lien rights authorized under section 33-1807 against that property for a period of six consecutive months from the date of the violation. END_STATUTE

Sec. 7.  Effective date

This act is effective from and after December 31, 2011.

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