Whereas I am definitely quite fond of the neighborhood in which we live, I cannot say the same for being part of a *Home Owner's Association (or HOA, for short).*

![0636-BeachView.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/EoZzXEbg395h9GNNhkzew6hspMpfoN7SU8MU7RnRsQSCoPJo1KgbgrJYYQADV2ZCZLJ.jpg)

Dont' get me wrong, I *do* appreciate that the streets are generally neat and tidy, and there aren't a bunch of dead vehicles and trash in people's front yards... but part of the problem with HOAs is typically that *some* community members see the fact that there's a *"rule book"* of sorts as an invitation to appoint themselves overseers and *"policing"* everyone in the neighborhood.

Our development is pretty large — about 800 properties — and we have our share of busybodies around here... many of whom are quite outspoken and just *waiting* for an apportunity to tell others what they have done wrong.

*That's* the part I find irritating — the meddlesome *people,* not the actual *rules.*

I happen to know our office manager fairly well, and I also know that she rolls her eyes at some of the complaints that come in... and *especially* because she's bound by the HOA rules to follow up on community members' complaints, no matter how petty and trivial.

![0783-WatersEdge.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23vsL5ieLroNRSJSMhR1P1YugPQACwz2pWD7hophQHZxevc8PSepcPatkfdNFMiFUZZv8.JPG)

Like someone who has friends from out-of-town staying in their RV for a few weeks and thereby breaking a rule about RVs being parked in an *"un-desginated"* space... like an actual *driveway,* rather than a covered RV garage.

And, of course, we have the *"hedge police,"* and the *"lawn police"* and even the *"Christmas light police,"* always ready to report people not fully complying with every regulation of the HOA guidelines.

Probably the worst is related to anything to do with building/remodeling... right down to something as simple as *repairing a fence.*

Someone walking their dog by actually asked my neighbor if she *"had a building permit"* to replace the boards on part of the fence that had been blown down during winter and spring storms.

Seriously?

![0330-Gazebo.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23wMcXFoLEjR2may4b9gyVijMaikmUevw8Q2Uqh5zitBxhu4v6nFSVngf2LwGRRwBMEyo.jpg)

You're actually *more* concerned about *permits* than you are about the fact that the fence is an unsightly eyesore that is now being fixed?

Apparently so.

We first ran into the reality of association *"petty bureaucrats"* shortly after moving here, some 15 years ago.

We were quite delighted to have found a home with an existing built-in chicken coop attached to the side of the garage... something that seemed like it was perfect for our desire to have an *"urban homestead"* of sorts.

Little did we know what a storm of controversy would arise after we got 9 lovely chickens — no roosters — who seen began to give us some marvelous fresh eggs.

![0974-RedTrees.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23xyVLW2iuWYqu3ooc27jAD7uqsJSmB2F5NaRSh9oaKzxRrPE5TsadctnTQoT7Xg2tv99.JPG)

It was maybe 4-5 months before we got a *"letter of complaint"* in the mail, citing some code about *"not keeping livestock"* and pointing out that *"chickens attract rats, and therefore are not allowed."*

Of course, chickens do *not* attract rats... improper *chicken feed storage* does. Not an issue, if you store your feed in tightly sealed bins like we did. 

However, that made no difference when we appealed the request to remove the chickens at a HOA meeting. Nor did a thorough presentation about the benefit of keeping backyard chickens in urban environments... so we ended up having to give away *"the girls"* to a friend with a more farm-like setting.

Still an annoying event...

The sad thing is that Home Owners' Associations are becoming more and more common. Here in our state, currently about 1/3 of all properties are part of a HOA, but a surprising *70%* of new construction is now done under a HOA. 

![0941-SeaGrass.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/245cgf7b1DPe32PyUMqS6WgtFa6aEmvHucDUQzU2juSUxXRxApvE2qCcQRPZsPu9KwXZp.JPG)

Which is a bit of a daunting prospect, as we are still planning to move to a smaller place within a year or so... maybe there's just no getting away from this sort of thing, anymore...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great remainder of your week!

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