The Cottages at Lakewood

What The Cottages at Lakewood's governing documents say

The Cottages at Lakewood is a condominium in Phoenix, AZ — you own your unit and share ownership of the common elements, which the association maintains and insures. This declaration is part of a larger master-planned community called Lakewood, so additional rules from the master association may apply. The document is lengthy and comprehensive, but some details (e.g., specific pet limits, lease length minimums, assessment dollar amounts) are not available here.

• What you own & maintain: You own the interior of your unit (finished surfaces, interior walls, doors, windows) and the exterior finishes on perimeter walls. The association maintains all common elements, including the building structure, roofs (exterior surfaces), shared parking areas, landscaping, and common utilities. You are responsible for maintaining your own unit and any limited common elements assigned exclusively to you (e.g., balcony, porch, yard, HVAC components serving only your unit).
• Use & occupancy restrictions: All units are for residential use only. No trade or business is allowed unless it's conducted entirely inside the unit with no exterior signs, no customers coming to the unit, and no nuisance. Home-based businesses that meet these criteria are permitted, but the board may restrict them. Leasing a unit is not considered a business.
• Leasing & rentals: If you lease your unit, the tenant (and their family) gets the right to use the common elements, while you (the owner) may not use the common elements during the lease term. The document does not state a minimum lease term or a maximum number of leases, but the master declaration may have additional rules.
• Pets: No animals, birds, reptiles, or livestock are allowed except for service animals and 'Permitted Pets' as defined in the rules. The declaration does not specify a maximum number or type of pets here — that would be in the board-adopted rules. No outdoor antennas are allowed unless approved by the board.
• Parking & vehicles: Parking spaces not assigned as limited common elements may be assigned or leased by the board. The board can adopt rules about parking, including requiring owners to use their garage before using common-element parking. Towing of unauthorized vehicles is allowed.
• Architectural review & alterations: You may make nonstructural interior changes without board approval if they don't affect plumbing, structure, or the concrete slab. Any change visible from outside (including enclosing a balcony/porch) or any structural change requires prior written board approval. The board can require plans, insurance, and a security deposit. No additions above the finished ceiling or below the floor surface are allowed without approval.
• Assessments & fees: The association levies common expense assessments, special assessments, user fees, individual expense assessments, and enforcement assessments. Each unit's share is based on its percentage interest (square footage). A reserve contribution equal to two months of common expense assessments is due upon purchase. The board may also impose use fees for common elements.
• What this document doesn't cover: This excerpt does not contain the master declaration or tract declaration rules, which may impose additional restrictions. Specific dollar amounts for assessments, pet limits, lease term minimums, or age restrictions are not stated in the provided text. The complete set of rules would also include the association's bylaws and board-adopted rules.

Plain-language summary generated from the governing documents on file for this community. It may be incomplete and is not legal advice — read the full documents below or consult the official recorded versions.