HOA ignored homeowners’ landscaping request, then threatened to fine them for having less than 70% grass — until state law shut them down

The majority of Americans are aware of how bothersome HOAs can be, but it has its benefits too. Whatever the reason may be, u/Rredhead926 and their husband moved into an HOA-run neighborhood during Christmas right before the pandemic. While they were settling in, they asked the HOA for permission to xeriscape their yard. After 60 days and no response, they moved ahead with the project. Seven months later, the HOA tried to fine them and demanded they fix their lawn to 70% grass. Luckily, the state of California saved them from the fine. The post was shared on October 6, and it had 1,800 upvotes and 314 comments.

HOA loved writing letters

The author lived in their home for seven years. From the very beginning, they knew the neighborhood had an HOA. They had read all the CC&Rs and bylaws and thought they were safe. However, the first time they checked their mail, they received a letter from the HOA. They thought it was a welcome note, but instead, the HOA threatened to fine them if they didn't fix their fence in 30 days. A month later, they received another letter telling them to keep their trash cans in the side yard; otherwise, they would be fined. The author and their husband were still in the moving-in process, and their side yard was filled with broken-down boxes. "Our trash cans were just in front of the side yard gate," the author explained. 

State of California saved them

The author tried to follow the HOA's rules, but even then, the board always seemed to find something wrong. The author applied to xeriscape their yard, but they never responded. As per the CC&Rs, they had to wait 30 days before they could proceed with their plans. After 60 days and no reply, the author xeriscaped their yard. Seven months later, they received a letter threatening a fine unless they restored the yard to 70% grass, claiming they had landscaped without permission. This time, the author had to go to a hearing and showed their letter as proof. They did apply, but the HOA never responded. Luckily, "By the time the hearing happened, California had passed a law stating that HOAs couldn't insist on grass," which saved them from the fine.

HOA's a dictator

As the years passed, the HOA became more troublesome for the author. The HOA president tried to fine them for their fence simply because she did not like it. One time, they received a fine of $1,500 with no explanation as to why. The author and their husband spent two years figuring out the reason. Another time, the HOA replaced the neighborhood's perimeter fence and ran out of money. They then demanded a $1,500 "emergency" assessment fee from residents. "When the previous HOA board realized they f----- up, 3 of the 5 members resigned. I actually tried to get on the board then, but wasn't allowed because of the $1500 illegal fine."

The author said the HOA eventually rescinded the separate $1,500 fine after a hearing revealed it concerned something the homeowners had never been told to do. But the new HOA president was worse. One time she declared, "Anyone who doesn't want to do what the HOA board thinks is best should move." The author really hoped they would not have to move again, but their HOA ultimately pushed them away. The author got panic attacks whenever they saw an HOA letter in the mail. They had to put up their house on the market, even though they knew it was a financially irresponsible thing to do.

Unhappy HOA communities

The majority of Americans live in neighborhoods with HOAs, but not everyone is content or happy. A September 2024 survey of 1,005 American homeowners by 2-10 found that 85% of respondents were in HOAs in 2026. Even though 60% had positive experiences with their HOAs, 54% felt differently. One third said their experiences with their HOA made them want to leave the neighborhood. 63% blamed unreasonable HOA fees, 53% said it was the inconsistent rule enforcement, while 40% blamed the board's poor communication or unresponsiveness. In the author's case, they faced all three reasons. Their HOA did not respond on time when it needed to and then tried to put the blame on the author. When they ran out of money, they tried to place emergency fees on the residents.

Rally the neighbors 

Netizens tried to support the author in the comments and advised them to stay and fight. u/Charming_Mulberry_49 shared, "The HOA is tossing us out after 9 years because I'm on disability they found out. Refused to do another lease. We have no notice. Just a verbal no your not playing the disability card." u/Decent-Scholar1507 wrote, "Remember you don’t have to live with the HOA president. They have to live with you. They think they can fight battles; a lot of them back off when you bring a war to their doorstep and make living in their neighborhood 10x the hell."

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