Parking and General Vehicular Rules Policy
Introduction
The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the Stedwick Homes Corporation Board of Directors to regulate parking and other vehicular matters within the Community. They have been adopted under the authority of the Corporation By-laws (Article IX, Section 1(d)).
This section permits the Board of Directors “to adopt and publish rules and regulations governing the use of Community Properties and facilities and the personal conduct of the Members and their guests thereon…” These rules also implement and clarify covenants and other restrictions regarding commercial vehicles, private trucks, trailers, boats, etc.
The purpose of these rules and regulations are to promote the safety and welfare of Stedwick residents while preserving and protecting the property values within the community. Furthermore, these rules and regulations have been adopted with sensitivity towards maximizing the efficient utilization of limited community parking.
-
Permitted Parking – parking of motor vehicles will be permitted within the Stedwick community only at the following locations:
a. Private Dwelling Units – Vehicles may only be parked within a garage or on the
paved portion of a driveway leading to a garage or carport. Residents are
expected to use garages, carports, and driveways when so provided.
b. Community Owned Property – Vehicles may be parked only on paved portions of
Stedwick community-owned private streets and designated parking areas. All
vehicles must be parked within curb markings, using only one space per vehicle,
where markings are provided.
c. County Roads and Streets – Vehicles may also be parked on County–owned
streets, except where prohibited by County regulations.
-
Prohibited Parking – At all times, parking of motor vehicles is prohibited in all other locations within the Stedwick community including:
a. Access Areas – Parking is prohibited in front of bike paths, walkways, within 5 feet of private driveways, within 30 feet of a stop sign, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Residents are permitted to contact the tow company and have a vehicle towed if they are parked too close to their private driveway. See paragraph 2 of the Towing Policy.
b. Other Community Properties – No motor vehicles will be permitted to park or operate on greenspace (considered to be 2 or more wheels over the curb), sidewalks or bike paths within the Stedwick community. These restrictions apply to all motor vehicles including “off-the-road” vehicles (as defined in article 27, Section 578 of Maryland Code).
c. Firelanes – No vehicles are permitted to be parked in designated firelanes.
d. No Parking Areas – No vehicles are permitted to be parked in “No Parking” areas designated by Stedwick Homes Corporation. Such areas will be clearly marked with signs. Some of these areas may permit parking during certain hours of the day. -
Restricted Vehicles – The following vehicles are specifically prohibited from parking overnight on community-owned or private property within the Stedwick community. a. Overnight is defined to be ANY time during the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. These vehicles may be permitted if, and only if, consistently kept or maintained within the confines of a private garage or carport and do not create a nuisance to other residents through unusual hours of operation or excessive noise.
a. Commercial Vehicles – Any vehicle with any type of writing or printing (letters, pictures, insignia) other than provided by the manufacturer are prohibited. Vehicles which carry ladders, pipes, etc. will be considered commercial vehicles. Police and other state or federal governmental vehicles, which do not otherwise violate the rules herein, are permitted.
b. Open Bed Private Trucks – “Open Bed Private Trucks” include all vehicles designed for the transport of goods or services. The majority of such vehicles are commonly known as “pick-up trucks”, having an open back and a separate cab, and are prohibited regardless of the number of passenger seats in the cab. Trucks with caps or camper shells with windows on at least three sides that are approximately the same height as the cab are permitted. Trucks with matching or black manufactured, installed covers over the bed (tonneau covers) at not more than six (6) inches over bed height are permitted. Trucks with exposed toolboxes are not permitted.
c. Oversized Vehicles – Any vehicle whose maximum exterior dimensions exceed any of the following is not permitted:
- 240 inches long (passenger cars are exempt from this dimension restriction)
- 80 inches wide
- 90 inches high
- Any vehicle with more than four wheels on the roadway is also not permitted.
d. Trailers – Any vehicle designed to be towed is prohibited.
e. Campers or Recreational Vehicles – camper or recreational vehicles are restricted and are not permitted to park overnight.
f. Boats – Any device or structure, of any material, designated primarily for use as a floatation device upon a body of water is prohibited.
-
Other Restrictions – In order to avoid unsightliness, the following use restrictions are also established.
a. Extensive repairs – No work or dismantling of vehicles, boats or machinery of any type (other than routine maintenance and cleaning) is permitted outdoors on Stedwick community property or on privately owned property. Changing oil or other vehicle fluids is not permissible on community property. Costs to repair damage to parking areas caused by vehicle repair or the discharge of fluids will be charged to the homeowner.
b. Unlicensed, inoperable, and stored vehicles – No unlicensed vehicles will be permitted to operate or park on private or community property in Stedwick. Vehicles must display both front and rear license plates and current registration stickers at all times, even if the vehicle is covered. No inoperable vehicles are to be parked for more than 48 hours on community-owned or private property, unless garaged. A vehicle with one or more flat tires, missing parts, or any other visible condition which makes the vehicle unable to operate under its own power will be considered inoperable. Vehicles must be moved at least every 15 days or they will be considered to be stored. Unlicensed, inoperable and stored vehicles will be stickered to notify the vehicle owner of the violation, and may be towed 48 hours thereafter if the violation is not corrected. Homeowners with special circumstances may contact the community manager to provide a specific date by which the vehicle will be moved.
c. Vehicles parked over a curb and/or sidewalk – Vehicles parked with two (2) or more tires over the curb and/or on a sidewalk may be stickered and subsequently towed after 48 hours.
-
Voluntary Reserved Parking – Homeowners of any area in the Stedwick community may petition the Board of Directors to establish their own voluntary reserved parking assignment system. Only one parking space per non-garage/driveway household may be reserved under this plan. Such a petition will be considered under the following conditions:
a. Written petition – the petition is submitted in writing to the Board of Directors and includes a diagram depicting the proposed parking configuration, including the exact manner in which parking spaces will be marked. Each owner must sign the diagram to show approval of the proposed assignment of spaces.
b. Owner participation – Townhouses with garages and driveways shall be excluded from participating in the petition for the assignment of reserved parking spaces. All other private dwelling unit owners in the petition areas must be consulted in the petition process and be given an opportunity to endorse or decline the plan. Two-thirds (2/3) of these homeowners must endorse the plan by signing the petition for it to be considered for approval. Petitions are available at the Foundation office.
-
Enforcement Procedures – To implement and enforce these rules and regulations (other than item 5 – Voluntary Reserved Parking) the following procedures are established:
a. Enforcement – Enforcement of these rules and regulations will be through the Stedwick Homes Corporation Board of Directors, or by its officers, agents and employees, and by the Montgomery County Police Department and the State of Maryland.
b. Prosecution – Violators of these rules and regulations will be subject to prosecution or other legal action, which may be appropriate. In addition, the residents may be subject to the loss of Stedwick Homes Corporation privileges as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable articles, by- laws and covenants of the Corporation. The Stedwick Homes Corporation Board of Directors also reserves the right to recover attorney fees and court costs in any enforcement action.
c. Exemptions – Under exceptional circumstances, exemptions to these rules for an individual vehicle may be granted. A written request for exemption must be made to the Stedwick Homes Corporation Board of Directors. Based on the circumstances of the exemption request, a conditional, temporary, and/or indefinite exemption may be granted.
-
Assignment of a Handicapped Parking Space – The following policy established by the Stedwick Homes Corporation Board of Directors reflects the provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law, Paragraph 21-1005:
a. A person who has a physical disability may make a written petition to the Board of Directors for a permit for one (1) reserved parking space.
b. The Board will consider each petition on a case-by-case basis.
c. Possession of an automobile “handicap” license is judged to be valid criteria for a reserved parking space.
d. Upon assignment of a reserved space, a sign will be placed with the appropriate “Handicap Parking” legend. A normal five-foot post will be utilized and the sign will be assigned to the individual and will not remain with the residence.
e. Residents who violate the reserved handicapped assignment will be referred to the Montgomery County Police.
-
Speed Humps – No traffic calming devices, such as speed bumps, speed humps, or rumble strips, will be constructed on Stedwick Homes Corporation streets.