Q. I am serving on the Board for the first time and the subject of pool and spa rules have been brought up.  What is the best way to write the rules so that everyone may enjoy our facilities?

A. One of your first considerations should be to make your rules reasonable.  Make sure that they are in keeping with the demographics of your community.  Are there lots of children, or is your community more mature?  Remember that you cannot limit the hours of use based only on age.  You should set the hours of use so that the most residents can enjoy the facilities, but disturb as few residents as possible.  Earlier closing and opening times during the week, and later
ones during the weekends might be a consideration.  The number of guests allowed should be determined.  This should be established by the number of guests per residence, and not per person.  You must also decide about whether your facility should be non-smoking.  Noise should be regulated so that one resident does not disturb another.  Usually required headsets for personal music devices works to that end.  Keep in mind that the rules you make are only as good as your enforcement abilities.  If you require passes, sign-in sheets or other rules that will need someone to monitor your rules, you must make arrangements for someone to be there.  Hiring a facilities monitor, especially during the summer, may be an option.  Another option may be to pass rules that do not need a person there to enforce them.  If that approach proves ineffective, you can adjust the rules to better fit your situation at a later date.  You should get and read a copy of the County Health Department rules on pools and spas to make sure your rules conform with theirs.  Be sure to address glass, pets and horse-play clearly in your rules.  Finally, when your rules have been drafted, send them to your Association's legal counsel for review.  A few dollars spent doing that could save you lots of dollars later.  Your facilities are there for everyone to enjoy, and the rules should be written to allow just that.

Quentin Yates is a member of the Community Association Institute.  Readers can get their condominium or homeowner association questions answered by calling the Community Association Institute at (619) 299-1376 or send questions to: Condominiums, Homes, San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 191, San Diego 92112-4106.

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