HOA guidelines - WWPD?

greeneyed_bride

My friend is having an issue with our homeowners association, and I'm just curious to know what you guys think.

Our neighborhood is built around a small lake, and one of the HOA rules is that houses on the lake can't have fences in their yards (because they think it will ruin the view of the lake.) Our house isn't on the lake, so this isn't an issue for us. But a friend of mine lives on the lake, and she has a 10 month old and a toddler. She's really worried about them drowning, so she has asked the HOA if she can build a fence temporarily until her children are older, but they said no. Her husband bought the house long before the two of them even met (10 years before their first child was born,) so it's not like they moved there when they already had kids and knew this would be an issue. However, they really don't want to move, and there's no guarantee that they'd be able to sell the house even if they did want to move.

They've contacted a lawyer, and apparently if they can get a majority of the people in the neighborhood to sign a petition, they might be able to get around the rules. But she's doubtful that she'll get the signatures. What would you do? Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? What would you do if you couldn't get the signatures? 

carrotsoup70

Plant a hedge? It's not a fence but it might stop the kids from getting to the pond.

AKbadwolf

I would attempt to get the signatures first. Explain that you were looking for a reasonable way to allow home owners t

justmeg8378

I am a dirty lurker......I am also a property manager for HOAs.  The only way is to get the petition signed and it has to be a majority  of the homeowners that sign (the percentage is listed in her governing documents).  The petition the

30HelensAgree

I grew up on a lake with a HOA and some serious rules. I'm almost one hundred percent sure she won't get her signatures. She needs to alarm her doors, which is what my H and I do for our pool.

1026pumpkin

Is it possible for them to put fencing elsewhere on their property- maybe fence in a side yard and put some play equipment there for the kids?

I'm guessing she's going to be unsuccessful in getting the HOA to change their rules, so if I were in h

LaurelBee

It may not be so plausible, but if they put in a pool, they'd have to have a fence by law...  

Dougsgirl4ever

Maybe the HOA would be more receptive if it was a glass fence wall?  Yes, it will be more expensive but then you can at least see through it.

hmp1

We had a similar rule for our HOA in our old neighborhood but it stated if you put up a fence it had to be rod iron, which are a lot more expensive than a privacy fence. Are you sure it says no fences at all? What if you want a pool?

outnumbered

Your friend will probably  not be able to change the rules.  She needs to work on 'drown proofing' her children.  They need to be in swim lessons and she needs to have serious conversations with her children about water safety. Swim less

RondackHiker

I agree with the recommendations for swimming lessons, alarmed doors, and high up latches.

I'd also see if I could put some prickly, unpleasant, low bush along the edges of my property. Not high enough to be a fence, but high enough to and pr

littlemermaid

Our HOA only allows  4 foot high fences that are wrought iron.  Would the HOA be willing to make an exception with that.  You can see through them and it would keep her kids in the yard. 

Maybe she can ask them if a wrought i

greeneyed_bride

Thanks for the input, everyone! Sorry to P&R - right after I posted, my son woke up from a late nap.

To answer some questions that were asked in the thread, I just looked at the HOA agreement, and it says "no fence, hedge, wall or enclosure o

RondackHiker

A two foot high, wide, prickly brush would keep the kids in. I mean something with thorns or prickers that would hurt to touch.

greeneyed_bride

RondackHiker:

A two foot high, wide, prickly brush would keep the kids in. I mean something with thorns or prickers that would

greeneyed_bride

morgann2010:

greeneyed