Should homeowner's associations be allowed to ban solar panels/clotheslines? (fence, crime)
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I thought this was an interesting article about clashes between HOA rules and various "green-living" strategies, such as solar panels, outdoor clotheslines, or even replacing grass lawns in arid regions with xeriscaping.
Some states have laws forbidding HOAs from prohibiting solar panels in particular. Many do not.
Should there be a national law making it clear that HOAs do not have the power to forbid energy-saving measures such as solar panels or backyard clotheslines?
I was going to my normal glib self and state what I thought would have been the obvious, yes homeower associations have the right to ban clotheslines and solar panels. But then you went and through the energy angle and blew the wind out of my sarcastic sails.
Talk about bait and switch...
Certainly when there is a compelling state interest, the rights of homeowner associations should take a back seat to those interest, and I can't think of anything more compelling than the need for energy efficiency. So, maybe your idea has merit.
But then again, who in the right mind would want to live in a development with a home owners association?
Did you buy the house, knowing that your neighborhood had restrictions?
If so, then yes, they have every right. You agreed to the policy.
If you owned the home, before the association took form, and you never agreed to it, then no, you have every right to do whatever the hell it is you want.
No, they shouldn't. HOAs do keep a standard in neighborhoods and generally are okay, but I find it riduculous that they can tell you not to do these things when they are relevant to the current climate (energy costs going up, supply not keeping pace)
Nobody is forced to live in a HOA but many of the nice neighborhoods with decent shopping, schools, and little crime do have HOAs..
If so, then yes, they have every right. You agreed to the policy.
Well, I think the problem here is that the restriction might damage overall public policy.
If we agree that saving energy and water are important goals, why should an "association" be able to forbid homeowners from taking measures that save energy or water?
who the hell opposes solar panels? I mean, I guess I can see the clothesline thing, even though most of these hoity toity HOA residents have privacy fences anyway
Well, I think the problem here is that the restriction might damage overall public policy.
If we agree that saving energy and water are important goals, why should an "association" be able to forbid homeowners from taking measures that save energy or water?
Because of how you feel about solar panels, your neighbors may not like them, and appraisers sure as hell don't like them.
So, the value of all of the houses around you falls, and, they probably won't like that.
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