Which legal documents outline the operational frameworks for managing a condominium?

The governing documents are essential legal instruments that establish the operational framework for managing a condominium. These documents typically include the declaration, bylaws, and rules and regulations, which collectively define the structure, management, and governance of the condominium community.

The declaration outlines the legal description of the property, the units, and the common elements. Bylaws provide the rules for how the condominium corporation will operate, including provisions about meetings, voting rights, and responsibilities of the board. Rules and regulations detail the day-to-day operational guidelines for residents and help maintain community standards.

While operational guidelines, condominium policies, and management contracts may play roles in the overall management of a condominium, they do not possess the same legal binding and foundational qualities that governing documents have. Operational guidelines are often developed to provide further detail on procedures, and condominium policies outline specific rules, but they do not carry the same weight as the governing documents which provide the fundamental legal framework necessary for condominium management. Management contracts deal primarily with the relationship and responsibilities between the condominium corporation and a property management company, but do not replace the core governing structure set by the governing documents themselves.