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Beaumont Tashjian Law Blog
Thursday, May 14, 2020
It is no secret that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has thrusted our community into the throes of an unprecedented situation, forcing community leaders to make timely, sweeping, and in many cases, inconvenient decisions.
On the heels of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20, which ordered all California residents to stay at home and practice safe social distancing to help “flatten the curve,” many managers and board members worked together to take immediate action and heed the directives of public health officials. This included effectively shutting down access to all association common facilities, such as fitness centers, parks, pools and spas, screening rooms, etc.
As we have progressed through the pandemic and seen some state and local municipality officials suggest re-opening certain aspects of society to the public, community association residents may be taking note, wondering when their common area facilities will re-open as well. Re-opening facilities may be of particular concern, in light of the impending summer weather. Read more . . .
Monday, April 27, 2020
As we continue to adjust to social distancing practices and strive toward pushing forward with operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider what issues, questions and concerns may arise in the coming weeks when California's Stay at Home and other similar orders are lifted. Although orders may be lifted in the coming weeks, some form of social distancing is expected, recommended and may even be required to prevent another similar outbreak. With that said, associations should consider how to mitigate the possible transmission of the virus once orders are lifted and how to ease back into "normal" operations. We recommend adopting policies and procedures for post-quarantine operations in the community. Read more . . .
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
During this challenging time, we understand that many of us are adjusting to modified work arrangements in light of the Governor’s Executive “Stay at Home” Order. Although Beaumont Tashjian is also working on a modified basis, we remain fully operational, and are available via phone and email to answer any questions. We have also continued to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as the recommendations from federal, state and local agencies as this fluid matter changes on a daily basis.
Our recommendations will continue to change as we learn new information, but we want to take some time to answer questions you may have and provide reliable guidance and support regarding this unprecedented matter to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our clients. The following recommendations regarding association operations are based on the most recent directives from the federal and state agencies, as of the time this article was written, but are subject to change as this matter evolves. Rest assured, we will continue to keep our clients up to speed accordingly.
Read more . . .
Friday, March 20, 2020
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected many lives across the globe, with new challenges arising at any moment, and many lives changed forever. Our hearts and prayers are with those personally impacted by the virus around the world, including all emergency medical providers and others caring for those who are ill.
We are reaching out to you, our clients, our colleagues, our friends to assure you that at Beaumont Tashjian, we are monitoring COVID-19 closely and are working to ensure we meet the needs of our clients as well as provide for the health and safety of our employees during these tough times. We realize this health situation has affected many businesses and individuals and would like to inform you about the actions we are taking to support both our clients and employees.
As part of these efforts, and to ensure we continue to serve our clients' needs 24/7, we have taken specific steps as part of our business continuity plan.Read more . . .
Friday, February 21, 2020
As of the time this article is written, documented cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are 90,000 worldwide, and counting, with over 3,000 deaths. These numbers pale in comparison to the flu, which kills an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide each year. With this in mind, community association leaders can and should take extra precautions to protect themselves and their communities.
First, associations can use this as an opportunity to connect with their members and residents, through weekly newsletters, emails, flyers or common area postings, updating them about the virus, notifying them of any reported incidences in the community at large, and if necessary, informing them that there may be an immediate threat to the community. Boards and managers should also begin directing vendors and cleaning staff to focus frequently on particularly high-traffic common areas (gym, clubhouse, pool, sauna), which may be more susceptible to harboring the virus or other germs. Installation of hand sanitizer dispensers or wipes in these locations is also recommended.
Read more . . .
Friday, January 17, 2020
Senior Partner, Jeffrey A. Beaumont, Esq. and Partner, Lisa A. Tashjian, Esq., have been requested to speak at the 2020 CACM Southern California Law seminar & Expo Read more . . .
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Senior Partner, Jeffrey A. Beaumont, Esq. will be attending the CAI-CLAC Legislative Days at the Capitol on March 30 and 31. CALC needs a strong showing in Sacramento to meet with our Legislators to discuss the importance of our agenda for 2020. Please plan to be in Sacramento this March! Sponsorship opportunities and attendee registration can be found on the event page at Read more . . .
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Senior Partner, Jeffrey A. Beaumont, Esq. and Partner, Lisa A. Tashjian, have been requested to speak at the 2020 CACM Northern California Law seminar & Expo at the Santa Clara Convention Center on February 6th. Mr. Read more . . .
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
In 2017, legislation was passed, making accessory dwelling units legal in California. However, strict permitting regulations previously made accessory dwelling units difficult and expensive to construct. Recently, a number of bills were passed, making the process to construct accessory dwelling units easier and more affordable. Effective January 1, 2020, an association’s governing documents may not prohibit or unreasonably restrict the construction or use of an accessory dwelling unit. Specifically, Assembly Bill 670 (AB 670) voids any provision of an association’s covenants, conditions and restrictions or rules and regulations that prohibit the construction of an accessory dwelling unit on a lot zoned for single-family residential use. The California Legislature passed this bill in response to California’s affordable housing shortage. AB 670 is intended to encourage owners to convert and/or construct additional living spaces within their property by removing the many obstacles that previously hindered the process of building accessory dwelling units. The Legislature did so by reducing permitting fees, minimizing setback and lot size requirements, and eliminating parking requirements. While associations may not effectively prohibit accessory dwelling units, they are permitted to adopt “reasonable restrictions”, which is defined to mean restrictions that do not unreasonably increase the cost to construct, effectively prohibit the construction of, or extinguish the ability to otherwise construct, an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit. An “Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU) means an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It also includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is situated. A “Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit” (JADU) is a unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence. A JADU can include separate sanitation facilities or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure. Read more . . .
Monday, January 6, 2020
Partner, Lisa A. Tashjian, will be teaching a class for CACM California Law Series: Module 2 on March 3rd at Sun City in Palm Desert. Ms. Tashjian will present on Financial Management. For more information and to register, visit: Read more . . .
Thursday, January 2, 2020
As you may know, Senate Bill 323 went into effect on January 1, 2020. Under SB 323, among other substantial changes to the California Civil Code, associations are significantly hampered in their ability to set qualifications for candidates. For example, SB 323 sets forth limited situations in which associations may disqualify a candidate from running for the board of directors: - The nominee may not have previously been convicted of a crime that would prevent the association from purchasing fidelity bond coverage, or may cancel existing coverage;
- The nominee must be current in the payment of regular and special assessments;
- The nominee cannot serve on the Board at the same time as another person who holds a joint ownership interest in the same separate interest parcel as the person; and
- The nominee must be a member of the association for a year or more.
Read more . . .
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