The "Statement of Principles" section outlines the foundational principles and commitments of the METROPOLE Condominium Association.
Non-Discrimination: The Association pledges not to engage in any form of discriminatory treatment that is illegal, based on factors protected by law. These factors include race, sex, marital status, creed, age, political ideology, national origin, religious beliefs, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, familial status, or disability. The Association emphasizes the equality of all individuals and is dedicated to acting fairly in all matters while complying with Fair Housing laws.
Owner Responsibility: Each condo owner is responsible for covering expenses arising from damages to their unit, common elements, or limited common elements caused by themselves, their residents, their family, servants, employees, agents, visitors, licensees, or household pets. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining and repairing fixtures, equipment, appliances, or appurtenances they are responsible for under the Declaration. Any misconduct resulting in expenses will be specially assessed to the unit, become a lien on the unit and common elements, and collected as other assessments.
Supplementary Nature: These rules and regulations complement the Association's governing documents, including the Declaration, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. In case of any conflicts between these rules and the aforementioned documents, the latter take precedence.
Legal Compliance: All condo owners and their residents, guests, invitees, and licensees are required to adhere to federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, regardless of whether they are specifically mentioned in these rules.
Rule Adoption and Amendments: The Board has the authority to adopt, revoke, or modify rules and regulations as necessary to facilitate the Association's management and operation. Such changes will be documented in writing, shared with all owners within thirty (30) days of adoption, and enforced thereafter. Owners may also be involved in amending rules and regulations in a manner similar to amending the Bylaws, with these amendments becoming part of the rules and regulations.
Residential Units: Residential units in the Condominium are exclusively for single-family residential purposes, whether through ownership, rental, or lease. Reasonable activities associated with such use, including home offices without regular customer visits, are allowed. Timesharing of residential units is prohibited.
Commercial Unit: Commercial activities that violate local zoning or Association's governing documents are not allowed. Common elements can only be used for Condominium Association operations or as previously approved by the Board. Solicitation or door-to-door sales within the building require prior approval from the Board.
Electric and propane barbecues are permitted for food preparation on residential patios or decks. No other open flames, such as tiki torches, fire pits, candles, etc., are allowed in common or limited common areas. Storage of extra propane bottles is not allowed.
In the parking garage, motor vehicles must park only in assigned spaces and stay within designated parking space lines. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed at any time.
Only motor vehicles are allowed in the parking garage; no other items may be stored there except for a folding cart.
Bicycles must be stored on Association-provided bike racks or approved racks within assigned parking spaces. Bikes are not allowed in common areas or on limited common decks. Owners interested in a specific bike rack must contact the management company, and owners are responsible for maintenance and removal costs.
Items that don't fit in assigned storage units must be stored off-site or within residential units. Nothing may be stored outside assigned storage spaces. Items left in common areas for over 72 hours will be discarded, and the owner will be charged if removal costs apply.
All garbage must be placed in the designated garbage receptacles in the garage Garbage Room.
Recycling of cardboard, paper, glass, and other recyclables is mandatory by city ordinance, with non-compliance potentially resulting in a municipal fine.
Specific instructions are provided for recycling cardboard boxes, paper goods, plastics, cans, and proper disposal of light bulbs and hazardous materials.
Vacuum cleaner bag contents must be securely packaged and disposed of in the garbage dumpster.
Remodeling debris, furniture, and large items are the owner's responsibility to dispose of offsite, not in dumpsters.
Bagged pet feces and kitty litter should be disposed of in the garbage area.
Large electronic items, such as TVs, screens, computers, and printers, should not be disposed of in Association receptacles; owners/residents must take them to appropriate offsite refuse areas.
Food and yard waste must be recycled in the designated Food and Yard Waste Compost bin, with specific guidelines provided for acceptable materials and packaging. Plastic bags and pet waste are not allowed in this bin.
Residents are responsible for preventing unauthorized persons from entering the building and common areas. Verify the authorization of anyone entering behind you if you don't recognize them.
Building access is through a keypad code system, which should not be shared. Contact the Management Company if you need your code changed.
Owners must notify the Management Company 72 hours in advance of any scheduled repairs or maintenance that will require tradespeople to enter the building. Owners/Residents are responsible for monitoring the entry and exit of their tradespeople.
Only one garage controller per parking space will be issued, and residents should contact the Management Company for programming.
The Association emphasizes a uniform exterior appearance for aesthetic reasons.
All visible exterior portions of units, including glass, paint, screens, doors, railings, and window coverings, must maintain the designated style and color scheme.
Exterior window coverings must be of a solid, neutral color, while the interior-facing side can be of any type or color.
No items can be secured to the exterior Common or Limited Common areas.
Holiday decorations must be removed one week after the holiday.
Decks and entryways must be kept clean and neat at all times.
The Board can require the removal of unsightly or offensive items.
Deck drains must be kept clear of debris.
Activities like watering plants and cleaning balconies should not be a nuisance to lower or adjacent units.
Nothing should be thrown, dropped, or shaken from doors, windows, or decks.
Plants cannot be hung from ceilings, walls, or deck railings.
Plant containers must have water dishes to prevent dripping on balconies or windows below.
No signs are allowed on or from any residential or commercial unit or common areas.
Installation of antennas or satellite dishes is prohibited.
Bird feeders and wind chimes are not allowed on balconies, decks, or Limited Common deck areas.
Any structural changes or interior unit alterations/remodels must be detailed in an application for approval.
Work must be performed by a licensed and bonded contractor.
Homeowners will be held liable if work proceeds without approval.
Unit Owners must obtain all required permits.
Construction must adhere to the minimum Building Standard unless higher standards are required by governmental codes.
Common areas may be used for construction with prior approval.
Owners are responsible for ensuring that workers clean Common areas daily.
Owners must submit a construction schedule to the Board.
Consult the Board if construction disrupts building systems or operations.
All construction materials and containers must be removed from the premises.
Fire system modifications require prior approval.
Owners are responsible for costs associated with fire alarm wiring cuts.
Work hours are restricted to 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with minor work allowed on weekends and holidays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with approval.
Prohibited activities include those that unreasonably disturb another unit owner's peaceful enjoyment, such as noise, odors, smoke, vibrations, and other intrusive actions deemed obnoxious or offensive by the Board of Directors.
Excessive pet noises are considered a violation.
Fireworks and flammable materials, except those approved for gas barbecues, are not allowed.
Smoking is prohibited in Common areas and within 25 feet of building entrances.
All unit owners, residents, and occupants must adhere to the Governing Documents and Board decisions.
Acceptance of a deed or occupancy of a unit signifies agreement with the Governing Documents.
The Board or Manager will enforce the Governing Documents, and their failure to enforce them in specific instances does not waive future enforcement.
A Hearing Board can investigate and levy fines for violations, with fines not exceeding maximum amounts set by the Board.
Various fees apply, such as fees for documents, NSF fees, transfer fees, lien filing fees, and fees related to moving in or out of a residential unit.
Penalties for violations may include fines in increasing amounts, starting at $75, and may lead to legal action for repeated infractions.
A collection policy outlines the procedures for delinquent assessments, late fees, and the placement of liens on delinquent units. It also specifies actions to be taken after a certain period of delinquency, including forwarding accounts to an attorney for collection.
Common areas include hallways, entryways, elevators, stairways, garage, and lobby areas.
Commercial guests cannot access residential portions without Board approval and appropriate fees.
Personal items like baby carriages, bicycles, and umbrella stands cannot be stored in public areas.
Decor changes in common areas require Board action.
Unit doors (Common elements) cannot be altered except for holiday decorations between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day and installing a simple doorbell button with Board approval.
Cleaning items like dust mops, rugs, tablecloths, and clothing must not be shaken or left in common areas.
Smoking is prohibited in common areas, stairwells, hallways, and the parking garage but allowed in residential units and on patios/decks if it doesn't disturb others.
Residents are responsible for their guests' behavior in common and limited common areas, and disruptive activities (noise, odors, etc.) are prohibited.
No advertising for non-Association businesses in common areas, including the Mail Area and Elevator. No door-to-door advertising allowed.
Fire doors must remain closed during emergencies.
Elevators must not be used in case of fire; use clearly marked exit stairwells.
Residents must follow instructions from the building Fire Director and Fire Department personnel.
No storage or accumulation of materials that could pose a fire hazard is allowed anywhere in the building, including units.
Individual unit smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are not connected to the building fire alarm system and must be maintained by residents.
Domestic pets like dogs and cats are allowed in residential units, subject to rules and Section 7.10 of the Declaration.
Other domestic pets may be kept with Board approval.
Pets must comply with city ordinances, and violations of these ordinances are considered violations of condo rules.
Cats and dogs must be licensed by the City of Seattle.
Pets must not be a nuisance or cause disturbance to other residents. The Board can require the removal of pets that disturb others.
Pets must be leashed or carried when on common or limited common areas allocated to multiple units.
Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and covering the cost of any damage.
Bringing pets into Metropole that are not owned by or registered to a Metropole resident or relative is not allowed, including temporary housing of pets as a business.
Sale of Units: Sellers should inform the Board via the Management Company when their unit is being put on the market. Agents need access to the building. Agent responsibilities include showing access to common areas, escorting non-agent guests during open houses, not installing company "for sale" signs, and using sidewalk signs during broker's open house. Key boxes are allowed in a specific location, and access codes can't be posted.
Rentals: Rentals are subject to the Metropole Declarations, which limit the number of leased units. Family members of an owner are not counted in this limit. Lease agreements must be in writing, for a minimum of one year, and subject to condo rules. The Board must be provided with lease details, and residents must agree to comply with condo rules. Owners are responsible for any resident-caused damage to common areas.
Moving: Moves must be coordinated with the Management Company 72 hours in advance. Moving hours are restricted, and security measures must be taken, including attending to open exterior doors and using elevator pads. Elevator doors should not be blocked open.
Unit owners and residents are advised to purchase HO6 policies for damages not covered by the Association's master policy, personal property, relocation costs, and up to the Association's deductible if they are found responsible for damage. Owners are liable for repair costs within deductible amounts for the Association's master policy if damage results from neglect, intentional actions, or failure to maintain their unit or its fixtures.
The rooftop deck is available for use by owners, residents, and their guests during specific hours on different days of the week. Noise should be minimized to avoid disturbing other residents. Smoking is prohibited on the rooftop deck. Users are responsible for cleaning up after themselves, and access is restricted to designated areas.
This policy allows residents to install hard surface flooring in their units with certain conditions. It applies to new installations, replacements, or repairs of hard surface flooring materials. Residents must submit plans for approval, and if it's a new installation, they may need to post a deposit. An agreement is signed outlining installation details. Pre- and post-installation inspections are required to ensure compliance with noise ratings (FIIC Rating of 50 for replacements, FIIC Rating of 55 for new installations). An Acoustic Consultant conducts acoustic tests, and if the installation doesn't meet criteria, the owner must correct it at their expense.
The Board may identify high-risk components within units that could potentially damage other units or common elements. Examples include smoke detectors, fireplaces, water supply hoses, and water heaters. Water heaters older than six years must be inspected annually and replaced after ten years. The inspections are coordinated by the Management Company, and non-compliance can result in fines and even replacement of the water heater by the Board at the owner's expense. Unit owners are responsible for maintaining and replacing their water heaters as per the Declaration.
The Appendix section outlines the process for residents who wish to remodel or alter their residential unit.
Remodel and Alteration Application: This section provides guidance for residents who want to make alterations or renovations to their units. The application is designed to address common questions that arise during the alteration process.
Description of Proposed Alteration: Residents must provide a detailed description of the proposed alteration. This description should include information about the size, dimensions, location, construction methods, and materials to be used. It should also cover any plumbing and wiring details, as well as how the alteration will be connected to common areas or systems. Additionally, residents should mention if there are any foreseeable ongoing noise issues related to the alteration.
Detailed Drawing: Along with the description, residents are required to submit a detailed drawing or plan of the proposed alteration. This drawing should illustrate the height, width, length, location, and proximity to neighboring units if applicable.
Contractor Information: Residents must provide the name of the company or individual who will be performing the work. Additionally, they need to include a certificate of insurance with the Metropole Condominium Association named as an additional insured party. This ensures that the contractor has proper insurance coverage.
Inconvenience and Impact: Residents should describe any foreseeable inconvenience that the alteration might cause to the condominium association and other residents. This may include details about parking blockages, restrictions, elevator use, construction-related noise, interruptions to building utilities, and other potential disruptions.
Project Timeline: Residents are asked to estimate the start date, duration of the project, and the expected completion date. It's important to note that depending on the scope of the work, the Board of Directors reserves the right to assess a refundable damage deposit and/or non-refundable fees. These charges are intended to offset the cost of any wear and tear to common areas caused by the alteration project.
Once residents complete the application and submit it to the Board of Directors, the Board will review the proposal and provide a decision as promptly as possible.