DoorFly.com: 10 Really Bizarre HOA Rules

If you live in a neighborhood, you know how overbearing the homeowner’s association can sometimes be when it comes to painting your garage or leaving your holiday lights up too long. However, every once and awhile you hear horror stories about how the HOA took the rules a step to far. Here are just a few bizarre homeowner’s association rules:

Flag pole too high: Recently, a Marine Corp veteran in Houston was sued by his homeowner’s association because his flag pole was too high and does not be the subdivision’s design guidelines. The neighborhood is looking for a fine of $10 for every day the pole stands, a court order to remove the pole and payment of attorney’s fees. The resident just wants to show his patriotism.
Too many roses: A man from Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. planted too many roses on his four-acre homesite and the homeowner’s association sued. The man went to court and was found to have transgressed the board’s architectural design rules and was forced to pay $70,00 to the bank and, in turn, lost his home.
Can’t live Green: Not too long ago, a man from Canyon Springs, Texas was forced by his HOA to take down his solar panels. Luckily, Texas recently passed a bill that made it illegal for homeowner’s associations to ban the panels.
Can’t post a ‘For Sale’ Sign: A woman from Lebanon, Tenn. placed a ‘For Sale’ sign in her yard while trying to sell her house. The HOA quickly sent a letter and the woman was forced to display the sign in her window.
Must carry dog: An elderly woman was fined $25 by her homeowner’s association every time she did not carry her dog through the lobby of her condominium. The woman could not physically pick up the dog, yet racked up hundreds of dollars in fines and was eventually forced to move.
No Smoking: Municipal courts have recently ruled in favor of HOA’s ban on smoking in all public and private areas, including the resident’s home.
Maintain a green lawn: The Beacon Woods Civic Association in Bayonet Point, Florida sued a resident for failing to maintain his lawn after he fell on hard financial times. The man was eventually jailed for not replacing the sod on his lawn, but in the end, members of the community paid for new sod, flowers and functional sprinklers.
Cannot give homes to foster kids: A family in Port Richey, Fla. was threatened with eviction from their residential development because they received money from the government for caring for their five foster kids. The HOA claimed that because the family received this money, they were considered a business.
Cannot dive or clear snow from your house: A neighborhood in Donner Pass, Calif. has rules that you cannot drive over the snow or clear it to preserve the rural appearance and provide zones for snow mobiles.
No pink flamingos: A residential area in Lawrenceville, Ga. forbids pink flamingos as lawn decorations. Recently, a couple from the area found they were being fined daily for the flamingos in their yard.