2003 Wisconsin Act 283

703.365 (title) Small residential condominiums.

(1) Applicability. (a) The declaration for a small residential condominium may provide that any or all of subs. (2) to (8) or any parts of those subsections apply to the small residential condominium.

Note: Revises a defined term to reflect the revision of that term by Sec. 3 of the bill. See the Note to that Section. This change is made throughout provisions of s. 703.365, relating to small condominiums.

(b) If a declaration under par. (a) provides that any or all of subs. (2) to (8) or any parts of those subsections apply, then, except as provided in those subsections or parts of those subsections, this chapter applies to the small residential condominium in the same manner and to the same extent as to other condominiums.

(2) Declaration. (a) The declaration for a small residential condominium need not contain those provisions otherwise required under s. 703.09 (1) (e) to (g) and (i).

(b) The undivided percentage interest in a small residential condominium shall be is allocated equally among the units.

(c) Each unit in a small residential condominium shall have has one vote at meetings of the association.

(d) Commercial activity is permitted in a small residential condominium that consists solely of units restricted to residential uses only to the extent that commercial activity is permitted in residences in a zoning ordinance adopted under s. 59.69, 60.61, 61.35, or 62.23.

Note: Revised to reflect the revised defined term and the change in substance of that term.

(e) All actions taken under this chapter which that require a vote of units or unit owners must be approved by an affirmative vote or written consent of at least 75% of the unit votes of a small residential condominium, or a greater percentage if required by the declaration or this chapter.

(3) Bylaws. (a) Notwithstanding s. 703.10 (2) (a), all aspects of the management, operation, and duties of the association of a small residential condominium shall be delegated to the board of directors, which may retain a manager, including a master association under s. 703.155, for the small residential condominium, and the bylaws shall so specify.

Note: Expressly allows a small condominium to utilize a master association.

(b) Under s. 703.10 (2) (c), notice of meetings shall be given in a manner best calculated to assure that actual notice is received by the owners of all units of a small residential condominium, and the bylaws shall so specify.

(c) Section 703.10 (2) (d) does not apply to a small residential condominium. The board of directors shall be composed of one representative from each unit, chosen by and from among the unit owners of that unit.

(d) All actions taken by the board of directors of a small residential condominium under this chapter must be approved by an affirmative vote or written consent of at least 75% of the board.

(e) Section 703.10 (4) does not apply to a small residential condominium.

283,62 Section 62. 703.365 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

703.365 (3m) Agreement in lieu of bylaws. If approved by written consent of all of the unit votes of a small condominium, an agreement may be substituted for the bylaws under sub. (3). The terms of the agreement shall include the requirements of sub. (3) (a) to (d) and shall be consistent with this section. An amendment to an agreement may be made with the affirmative vote or written consent of all the unit votes of the small condominium.

Note: Authorizes a small condominium, if approved by written consent of all of the unit votes, to substitute an agreement for the bylaws. The terms of the agreement must include the requirements of current s. 703.365 (3) and must otherwise be consistent with s. 703.365. An amendment to an agreement may be made with affirmative vote or written consent of all of the unit votes of the small condominium. Compare ss. 180.1823 and 180.1825, stats., relating to agreements in place of bylaws for statutory close corporations.

283,63 Section 63 . 703.365 (4), (5), (6) (a) (intro.) and (c), (7) and (8) of the statutes are amended to read:

703.365 (4) Condominium plat. (a) The survey under s. 703.11 (2) (b) shall be an as-built survey of the property described in the declaration, building, and other improvements on the land which that are part of the small residential condominium.

(b) The floor plans under s. 703.11 (2) (c) need only show the location and designation of each unit in the building and the limited common elements appurtenant to each unit of a small residential condominium. These plans may be supplemented by an agreement among all unit owners and mortgagees regarding the allocation of use and enjoyment of common elements, which agreement, in both its original and any amended form, shall be recorded.

(5) Association. (a) Under s. 703.15 (2), an association shall exist immediately upon establishment of a small residential condominium and the declarant shall have rights in the association only as an owner of a unit or units.

(b) Directors of a small residential condominium shall be chosen in accordance with sub. (3) (c). The board of directors shall meet at least quarterly.

(c) Unless included in the bylaws, s. 703.15 (4) (b) to (d) does not apply to a small residential condominium.

(6) (a) (intro.) Paragraphs (b) to (e) apply to a small residential condominium if any of the following criteria is met:

(c) The unit owner or owners may challenge the decision after reconsideration by the board of directors under par. (b) only in an arbitration proceeding under ch. 788. Acceptance of a conveyance of a small residential condominium which that is subject to pars. (b) to (e) is deemed to constitute an agreement by the unit owner to submit challenges to decisions of the board of directors to arbitration.

(7) Expanding condominiums. Section 703.26 does not apply to a small residential condominium.

(8) Disclosure requirements. The disclosure required for a small residential condominium under s. 703.33 shall be is limited to the disclosure required under s. 703.33 (1) (a) to (e), if applicable, and a copy of the condominium plat.

283,64 Section 64. 703.37 of the statutes is amended to read:

703.37 Interpretation. For purposes of interpretation of this chapter, a condominium is a form of ownership, not a form of land use, and is not a subdivision as defined in ch. 236.

Note: Clarifies the current interpretation directive which provides that, for purposes of interpreting ch. 703, a condominium is not a subdivision under ch. 236, stats., by adding the statement that a condominium is "a form of ownership, not a form of land use".

283,65 Section 65. 703.38 (10) of the statutes is renumbered 703.38 (10) (a) and amended to read:

703.38 (10) (a) Section Except as provided in par. (b), s. 703.02 (14m), 2001 stats., and s. 703.365 applies , 2001 stats., apply to condominiums created on or after April 22, 1986, and before the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], and to condominiums created before April 22, 1986, that elect to be subject to s. 703.02 (14m), 2001 stats., and s. 703.365, 2001 stats.

283,66 Section 66. 703.38 (10) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

703.38 (10) (b) Sections 703.02 (14m) and 703.365 apply to condominiums created on or after the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], and to condominiums created before the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], that elect to be subject to ss. 703.02 (14m) and 703.365.

283,67 Section 67. 703.38 (11) of the statutes is repealed.

283,68 Section 68. 709.02 of the statutes is renumbered 709.02 (1).

283,69 Section 69. 709.02 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

709.02 (2) In regard to a transfer of a condominium unit, as defined in s. 703.02 (15), the owner shall furnish, in addition to and at the same time as the information required under sub. (1), all the following information as an addendum to the real estate condition report under s. 709.03:

(a) The name of the condominium and the date the condominium was created by recording condominium instruments with the register of deeds under s. 703.07; the unit number of the property offered for sale; and the name, address, and telephone number of the seller or the seller's agent.

(b) The name and address of the condominium association; a statement specifying whether the association is self-managed or has hired or retained management; and the name, address, and telephone number of the individual who may be contacted as a representative of the association regarding the sale, in particular, or the condominium, in general.

(c) The amount of current condominium assessments, fees, special assessments, or other charges for which a unit owner is responsible and whether the current charges for the unit have been paid.

(d) A copy of the executive summary required under s. 703.33 (1) (h).

Note: Requires an owner of a condominium unit who is transferring ownership of the unit to include certain information in an addendum to the real estate condition report pertaining to the condominium unit. The information must include the name of the condominium and other identifying information; the condominium association and management authority; and the amount of current condominium assessments, fees, and other charges for which a unit owner is responsible and whether the current charges have been paid. The addendum must also include a copy of the executive summary under s. 703.33 (1) (h), stats., as created in Sec. 47 of the bill, if an executive summary is required under the initial applicability schedule set forth in Sec. 69 (11) of the bill.

283,70 Section 70 . 823.015 of the statutes is created to read:

823.015 Action against condominium association. If a city, village, town, or county has grounds under this chapter to abate a nuisance occurring upon the common elements of a condominium and the failure of a condominium association under ch. 703 to perform its duties to maintain and control the common elements is a reason the nuisance has not been abated, an action for a receivership under ch. 823 may be brought against the condominium association whether it is incorporated or unincorporated. This section does not authorize the seizure of condominium buildings or units.

283,71 Section 71 . Initial applicability.

(1) The treatment of section 703.08 (2) (intro.) of the statutes, the renumbering and amendment of section 703.08 (1) of the statutes, and the creation of section 703.08 (1) (a), (b), and (c) and (3) of the statutes first apply to notices to convert residential real property to a condominium that are delivered on the effective date of this subsection.

(2) The treatment of section 703.09 (1) (k) of the statutes first applies to condominium declarations that are submitted for recording on the effective date of this subsection.

(2m) The treatment of section 703.09 (2) and (4) of the statutes first applies to condominium declaration amendments that are submitted for recording on the effective date of this subsection.

(3) The treatment of section 703.11 (2) (c) of the statutes first applies to plats, or amendments to plats, that are submitted for recording on the effective date of this subsection.

(4) The treatment of section 703.11 (5) of the statutes first applies to addenda that are submitted for recording on the effective date of this subsection.

(5) The treatment of section 703.13 (6) (c) and (d) of the statutes first applies to boundary relocations for which written application is made on the effective date of this subsection.

(5m) The treatment of section 703.13 (8) of the statutes first applies to mergers for which notice is provided on the effective date of this subsection.

(6) The renumbering of section 703.16 (2) of the statutes and the creation of section 703.16 (2) (b) of the statutes first applies to condominiums that are created on the effective date of this subsection.

(6m) The treatment of section 703.19 (8) of the statutes first applies to condemnation proceedings commenced on the effective date of this subsection.

(7) The treatment of section 703.20 (3) of the statutes first applies to condominiums that are created on the effective date of this subsection.

(8) The treatment of section 703.24 of the statutes first applies to violations that are committed on the effective date of this subsection.

(9) The treatment of section 703.265 of the statutes first applies with respect to revisions or adoptions of building codes or zoning ordinances that take effect on the effective date of this subsection.

(10) The treatment of section 703.315 of the statutes first applies to condominium rental agreements that are renewed or entered into, or periodic tenancies that are commenced, on the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection.

(11) The treatment of section 703.33 (1) (h), (1m), and (2) (intro.), (a) (form) 2., and (b) (form) 1. and 1c. of the statutes first applies to all of the following:

(a) With respect to condominiums that are created on or after the first day of the 6th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph, to closings of sales of units that are scheduled to occur on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph.

(b) With respect to condominiums that are created before the first day of the 6th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph, to closings of sales of units that are scheduled to occur on the first day of the 19th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph.

(11m) The treatment of section 703.33 (2) (a) (form) 3. and (c), (3), and (3c) of the statutes, the renumbering and amendment of section 703.33 (4) of the statutes, and the creation of section 703.33 (4) (b) and (c) of the statutes first apply to closings of sales of units that are scheduled to occur on the effective date of this subsection.

(12) The renumbering of section 709.02 of the statues and the creation of section 709.02 (2) of the statutes first applies to contracts of sale or option contracts, with respect to condominium units, that are accepted on the effective date of this subsection.

283,72 Section 72. Effective date.

(1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 7th month beginning after publication.