We'll be honest: We don't have a lot of love for homeowners associations these days. Between banning solar panels and banning outdoor clotheslines, HOAs are steadily sinking in our estimation.
Now, a number of homeowners in California are having similar troubles with their cities. The issue at hand this time? Lawns ... real ones and fake ones.
According to an article by the Associated Press, a lot of California cities are forbidding artificial turf and fining people for brown lawns, while the state insists that residents curb their water usage.
"It's kind of like saying 'We want you to look like Brooke Shields, but we don't want you to use any makeup,'" said one homeowner profiled in the article. It's a really unfortunate situation, especially considering the fact that up to 70 percent of most residential water bills are spent on landscaping.
What should be done about these HOAs and cities that are refusing to adapt to the times?
image via selva; Flickr.com
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This is why we're installing rainwater barrels (and ultimately a cistern). Water isn't going to get cheaper or more plentiful here. I'm mystified by the local cities that prize a particular appearance over the realities of this region.
view KateNonymous's profile
I've only become familiar with HOAs in any sort of practical experience since my mother-in-law moved into a neighborhood with one. In her situation, she was advised that becoming involved in the HOA meetings was the best way to insure that her interests were preserved - one of the first things that they'll be discussing, for example, is curbside recycling. I'm not sure if all HOAs work in this fashion, but it seems to me that the best way to get what you want is to make your voice VERY loud, and gather as many same-thinking folk from your neighborhood to add to that voice.
I agree with KateNonymous - I, too, am mystified by the preferences of cities that prefer appearance over reality.
view xiane's profile
Okay, so can you use xeriscaping or have they outlawed that, too? I live in an apt. now but have been preparing myself to become the bane of HOAs when we decide to settle. Can only hope I can be as diplomatic as xiane suggests.
This has an interesting twist, though... would it be possible for a group of citizens to plead for a state representative (since the state's pushing for conservation) to somehow back them up against the cities?
view whytephoenix's profile