Took me three days to convince my HOA that my rain barrel wasn’t a code violation

I put in a simple 55 gallon rain barrel off my downspout last spring. Thought it was no big deal. Then I got a nasty letter from the HOA saying it broke some rule about ‘aesthetic uniformity’ or something. I spent three whole days digging through their 40 page rulebook and found nothing about rain barrels. Then I had to write a formal appeal letter and bring pictures to the monthly board meeting. My neighbor Judy backed me up though, said hers had been up for two years without a peep from them. Finally got it approved after I agreed to paint it the same beige as my siding. Has anyone else run into HOA rules that seem to come out of nowhere like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavin2281mo ago

Man that sounds like a total headache but I feel your pain. Last year my HOA tried to fine me $50 for having a garden hose hanging off my spigot in plain view. Said it was 'unsightly clutter.' I had to go through three emails and a phone call just to prove the hose was for watering my lawn which is literally required by the same rules. Ended up buying a stupid hose hanger that matches my brick just to shut them up. Did you end up having to paint the barrel yourself or did they provide the paint code?

evan_cooper731mo ago

Gotta admit @gavin228, I used to roll my eyes at people complaining about HOA stuff... figured they just signed up for it. But after our board sent me a letter about my rain barrel being "noncompliant" because it wasn't the right shade of gray, I get it now. I ended up painting it myself with a color match from their stupid approved palette.

mianelson1mo agoMost Upvoted

100 bucks says the board president drives by and doesn't even notice the difference now. I feel like half this stuff is just about having power over someone.