So frustrated by HOA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Open burning is not the same as having a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in any way shape or form. Most counties in Maryland (mine, not MoCo) require fire pits to adhere to certain safety standards, most obviously being a certain safe distance away from a fence or housing. If OP’s fire pit meets those conditions, the smoke really should be minimal for any neighbors.

Some people, I swear, just don’t like seeing neighbors using their backyards—as if it somehow is rude to enjoy one’s own space if others can observe that enjoyment. I mean, don’t put up an ugly structure in your backyard that is an eyesore for neighbors, don’t have loud parties (especially now), don’t let your kids scream outside late into the evening. But enjoy a damn glass of wine by a backyard firepit all you want.

It is the smell , not the smoke, that most people find so horrible. It is a terrible smell, worse than skunk. In all of this back and forth it really seems like OP is not being very considerate of her neighbors. I don't blame them for getting the HOA involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Open burning is not the same as having a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in any way shape or form. Most counties in Maryland (mine, not MoCo) require fire pits to adhere to certain safety standards, most obviously being a certain safe distance away from a fence or housing. If OP’s fire pit meets those conditions, the smoke really should be minimal for any neighbors.

Some people, I swear, just don’t like seeing neighbors using their backyards—as if it somehow is rude to enjoy one’s own space if others can observe that enjoyment. I mean, don’t put up an ugly structure in your backyard that is an eyesore for neighbors, don’t have loud parties (especially now), don’t let your kids scream outside late into the evening. But enjoy a damn glass of wine by a backyard firepit all you want.

It is the smell , not the smoke, that most people find so horrible. It is a terrible smell, worse than skunk. In all of this back and forth it really seems like OP is not being very considerate of her neighbors. I don't blame them for getting the HOA involved.

LOL, what a miserable person you must be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Open burning is not the same as having a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in any way shape or form. Most counties in Maryland (mine, not MoCo) require fire pits to adhere to certain safety standards, most obviously being a certain safe distance away from a fence or housing. If OP’s fire pit meets those conditions, the smoke really should be minimal for any neighbors.

Some people, I swear, just don’t like seeing neighbors using their backyards—as if it somehow is rude to enjoy one’s own space if others can observe that enjoyment. I mean, don’t put up an ugly structure in your backyard that is an eyesore for neighbors, don’t have loud parties (especially now), don’t let your kids scream outside late into the evening. But enjoy a damn glass of wine by a backyard firepit all you want.

It is the smell , not the smoke, that most people find so horrible. It is a terrible smell, worse than skunk. In all of this back and forth it really seems like OP is not being very considerate of her neighbors. I don't blame them for getting the HOA involved.

You are awful, the smell is not bad. Where are you from that you can't take the smell of a wood fire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Open burning is not the same as having a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in any way shape or form. Most counties in Maryland (mine, not MoCo) require fire pits to adhere to certain safety standards, most obviously being a certain safe distance away from a fence or housing. If OP’s fire pit meets those conditions, the smoke really should be minimal for any neighbors.

Some people, I swear, just don’t like seeing neighbors using their backyards—as if it somehow is rude to enjoy one’s own space if others can observe that enjoyment. I mean, don’t put up an ugly structure in your backyard that is an eyesore for neighbors, don’t have loud parties (especially now), don’t let your kids scream outside late into the evening. But enjoy a damn glass of wine by a backyard firepit all you want.

It is the smell , not the smoke, that most people find so horrible. It is a terrible smell, worse than skunk. In all of this back and forth it really seems like OP is not being very considerate of her neighbors. I don't blame them for getting the HOA involved.

Yes, the popularity of fire pits in backyards and restaurants, along with a range of “cozy fire” and “bonfire” themed candles, and overwhelming number of grills sitting outside of homes across the country really reflects how most people prefer skunks to fires. Give me a break.

“Considerate” does not mean “does exactly what I want.”

If you don’t want neighbors, don’t move to a neighborhood. If you don’t want to deal with the realities of people having backyards and wanting to enjoy them, move to a condo.

If OP is actually having loud, late parties—that’s one thing, and would be past inconsiderate to downright dangerous now. But if they’re just enjoying a normal, suburban sized fire-pit—this shouldn’t be an issue. And on the COVID front, while ideally everyone is staying within their family unit, it doesn’t make any sense to put in place a policy that would result in people holding small gatherings inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

A manufactured fire pit is not “open burning.” The rule applies to fires on the ground.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/green/air/open-burning.html

Chimineas and outdoor manufactured fireplaces: Burn only dry, aged, natural wood. These devices, which can be purchased at local home and garden retailers, have become increasingly popular. They should have a non-tipping base, a screen enclosure, and a spark arrestor, and they should be placed on a noncombustible surface at an adequate distance from any nearby structures.

[Anonymous]

Ohhh... my neighbors are roasting marshmallows over a wood fire, that disturbs me because I wouldn't do it.

Better call the police!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ohhh... my neighbors are roasting marshmallows over a wood fire, that disturbs me because I wouldn't do it.

Better call the police!

WORSE THAN A SKUNK

[Anonymous]

https://fems.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/fems/release_content/attachments/Outdoor%20Fire%20Pits%20and%20Open%20Burning.pdf

Rules DC.

[Anonymous]

Anyone remember the BBQ Karen that had her life totally destroyed by trying to control the lives of others? Lots of HOAs are filled with these judgey types.

[Anonymous]

I would fight back like hell. I once had a condo association tell me I couldn’t do something that was completely legal (in fact, protected by law) and there was no rule against it in our bylaws. They would have had to have a majority vote by the homeowners to make this a rule. I showed them all applicable laws and pointed out they had no means of enforcing or bullying me into following a non-policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would fight back like hell. I once had a condo association tell me I couldn’t do something that was completely legal (in fact, protected by law) and there was no rule against it in our bylaws. They would have had to have a majority vote by the homeowners to make this a rule. I showed them all applicable laws and pointed out they had no means of enforcing or bullying me into following a non-policy.

Well now you have to tell us what it was!

[Anonymous]

I guess op never attend a board meeting and vote for any change or board member. Get involved now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would fight back like hell. I once had a condo association tell me I couldn’t do something that was completely legal (in fact, protected by law) and there was no rule against it in our bylaws. They would have had to have a majority vote by the homeowners to make this a rule. I showed them all applicable laws and pointed out they had no means of enforcing or bullying me into following a non-policy.

Well now you have to tell us what it was!

Fly an American flag. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

[Anonymous]

I am the hoa person. You have no clue the crap I see.

I had one jerk off who him and wife smoked liked chimneys on patio on their ground level duplex who refused to stop. We have. I specific rules against it. Her young son has severe asthma. Her lawyer contacted us and people below.

Finally EVERYTIME they lit up she call police and even pressed charges for endangering the welfare of a minor. It finally ended. Shortly afterwards both owners sold

A chain smoker in a condo no good and a severe asthmatic child in a condo no good.

In Some complexes they ban charcoal or wood grills only gas or electric a lot now ban smoking

I kinda try to stay out of it. But we had police here several times over last decade