So frustrated by HOA

[Anonymous]

I would be furious. Absolutely furious. I'm so sorry.

[Anonymous]

The smoke smell is a REAL problem. We live in a townhouse community and smoke from our neighbor's fire pit was coming in through our vents and the smell in our children's rooms in the back of the house was awful. In our case, there is a county regulation about how far from walls and fences fire pits are allowed to be and a $5000 fine. So yes, we complained to the HOA who talked to our neighbors and sent a reminder to the neighborhood.

If you live in a SFH with a large yard, perhaps you can talk to your HOA about having the fire pit in the middle or back of yard away from other houses, which will allow the smoke to dissipate rather than coming in through your neighbors' vents. That way, you also are not at risk of burning down any of your neighbors' homes or fences, too.

[Anonymous]

I have the feeling OP has a fire pit on her patio right next to her neighbor's house, and her parties are getting kind of loud and raucous. I would be annoyed with her, too. Move your fire pit further out in your yard and stop being so loud. Maybe serve less alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The smoke smell is a REAL problem. We live in a townhouse community and smoke from our neighbor's fire pit was coming in through our vents and the smell in our children's rooms in the back of the house was awful. In our case, there is a county regulation about how far from walls and fences fire pits are allowed to be and a $5000 fine. So yes, we complained to the HOA who talked to our neighbors and sent a reminder to the neighborhood.

If you live in a SFH with a large yard, perhaps you can talk to your HOA about having the fire pit in the middle or back of yard away from other houses, which will allow the smoke to dissipate rather than coming in through your neighbors' vents. That way, you also are not at risk of burning down any of your neighbors' homes or fences, too.

The HOA should buy a solo stove for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The smoke smell is a REAL problem. We live in a townhouse community and smoke from our neighbor's fire pit was coming in through our vents and the smell in our children's rooms in the back of the house was awful. In our case, there is a county regulation about how far from walls and fences fire pits are allowed to be and a $5000 fine. So yes, we complained to the HOA who talked to our neighbors and sent a reminder to the neighborhood.

If you live in a SFH with a large yard, perhaps you can talk to your HOA about having the fire pit in the middle or back of yard away from other houses, which will allow the smoke to dissipate rather than coming in through your neighbors' vents. That way, you also are not at risk of burning down any of your neighbors' homes or fences, too.

Did you even try to talk to your neighbors about getting a propane or smokeless fire pit? Most counties have restrictions on how close something can be to a home or fence--that is reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The smoke smell is a REAL problem. We live in a townhouse community and smoke from our neighbor's fire pit was coming in through our vents and the smell in our children's rooms in the back of the house was awful. In our case, there is a county regulation about how far from walls and fences fire pits are allowed to be and a $5000 fine. So yes, we complained to the HOA who talked to our neighbors and sent a reminder to the neighborhood.

If you live in a SFH with a large yard, perhaps you can talk to your HOA about having the fire pit in the middle or back of yard away from other houses, which will allow the smoke to dissipate rather than coming in through your neighbors' vents. That way, you also are not at risk of burning down any of your neighbors' homes or fences, too.

The HOA should buy a solo stove for all.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely force them to explain the difference between fire pits and grills. I have grilled on my fire pit plenty.

THIS.

It'd be much better from a covid standpoint if they just asked people to wear masks when outdoors. That's what our HOA did. It's not a rule, but a suggestion, to please mask in common areas at all times. In your own yard, whatever. Our community is small and in general people aren't a**holes though.

But I can not imagine them trying to regulate gatherings. No one is really having them, but a few people have. Outdoors is MUCH safer than indoors, so I don't think shaming people and forcing them to do things inside is the right stance here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet it's not a valid rule change. I would just keep doing it and see what happens.

+1

Just keep using it. I'm an attorney and I would. What are they going to do? Fine you? So don't pay the fine. I seriously doubt they are going to sue you over using a firepit on private property in violation of a rule they apparently just made up because Nancy nextdoor complained once.

[Anonymous]

This is a very good reason to avoid neighborhoods with HOAs. Petty martinets are drawn to the leadership of these outfits. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Normally it takes a majority vote if the homeowners to add or change a rule. I’d ask the HOA when the vote occurred, how homeowners were notified and what the outcome was. They can’t just make up new rules arbitrarily. I’d call them out.

+1

I am most covid cautious but agree that meeting one or two friends outside masked is the way to go. I haven't even done this myself but believe in other's right to gather this way. Also kids need to be outside! Preferably playing with another kid or two.

Yup, they are trying to bully you OP, I would object as it's not in the by laws.

[Anonymous]

Open fire pits are most likely illegal, you are making nose and smells that are ruining neighbors ability to enjoy their home.

I am a officer in an HOA and I don’t even live there. But just last week guy two sets of complaints about smokers and grills. Folks are working from home have allergies and you get folks smoking, having a beer and Hanging out outside their windows stinking up the place.

But a damn house on a large plot if you are white trash and enjoys you beer drinking, Covid spreading, fire pit, pot smoking swinger parties on your own land

[Anonymous]

It might be illegal. The entire state of NJ and NYC illegal. It is a $5,000 fine. Check your state laws

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The HOA can enforce its own rules and assess rule breakers with fines.

FWIW I can understand why your neighbor is complaining. Fire pits absolutely stink up a neighborhood and if you're using a fire pit all the time then no wonder your neighbor is unhappy.

The HOA can't make up its own rules to enforce, though. Unless there is a pre-existing bylaw re fire pits, it likely has to go to a vote by a quorum of homeowners before they can start money grabbing and threatening liens.

I mean, Jesus, most HOA boards are the neighborhood busybodies who are measuring other people's grass and timing trashcan pickup, can you imagine how out of control they would be if they got to make up their own rules on the fly, too?

[Anonymous]

The BTK killer was a code enforcement guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The BTK killer was a code enforcement guy.

Bwahahaha! I like you.