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Anyone have trouble with an HOA over home shop?

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4K views 48 replies 30 participants last post by  Woodnmetal 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I was going to put an offer in on a house that suited our needs. Well most of them but is on a small lot with all landscape maintenance provided, no more yard work! As I read through the HOA deed, any noise level could be called out and I immediately thought about my DW735. I am mostly hand tool now but will run a few boards through that screamer. I was wondering if I kept the door down in the garage could it still be loud enough for some busy body to force me into all hand tool? I am also aware that it can not be a for profit "business" but I don't think they would catch on if I did build something to sell privately.

In the end we were forced to not make an offer because if I have a shop in the garage I would need to park my truck in the driveway and they frown on that. Place was nice but at 6:30 PM there was not a single car in a driveway.
 
#2 ·
Sounds a bit like our HOA. I disregarded the noise issue since the DW735 isn't any louder than all of the riding mowers. As for parking in the driveway, nothing says I can't. Plus when the girls are home we have 4 cars so someone has to park in the driveway, and if they have friends staying over, there are cars on the street.

The HOA also won't allow sheds, so I put the push mower and yard tools under the deck which can be seen from the street. When I get a riding mower, it will go under there as well.

Having lived in several HOA's I learned long ago that someone has to feel strongly enough to complain and then the HOA has to decide if the HOA wants to pursue legal action. Generally, no one cares enough to want to pay the legal fees. Also, most HOA rules aren't written properly to stand up in court. About the only thing that they can do is set monthly HOA dues to cover upkeep and expenses.

The "for profit" clause is also hard to enforce. If you had a store front type business in your garage, the HOA might say something but occasionally selling stuff you make shouldn't get anyone's attention.

There are even a few folks that will go around and blow grass clippings from the street back into your yard if that tells you what kind of HOA it is. Had I realized it was so uptight, I wouldn't have built there.

Basically, I'm the guy that no one wants to see at the HOA annual meeting because I will challenge all of the overbearing ideas that seem to come up.
 
#3 ·
Well I've never lived in one, but have heard from a few that did if Mrs Sally Wrottenbritches gets a bug up her behind all kinda hail gonna rain down on you. Depends on too many things for my comfort level. I like being in the sticks where it's not a bad thing if I fart while out in my own back yard. If I keep the cops, and the building inspectors happy I'm good to go.
 
#4 ·
Different HOA's operate to different bylaws - you can't just assume they're all going to be the same. And my experience corresponds with what's been said; that enforcement is largely based on whether your neighbors file a complaint or not. There's a big difference between a DW735 running at 2 in the afternoon vs 10pm.
 
#5 ·
It was murky as to whether they could enforce not parking outside but there was a clause about trucks over one ton etc. that made me think this was not going to go well. I know of only one community that prohibited any truck being parked outside the garage (country club). The idea was to prevent someone from keeping a "clunker" in the driveway. It is kind of funny when some trucks now days are $80K. Nothing like committee rule, God I hate them. Every time the new chairman comes in the always want quotes on cameras and gates to improve safety but no one wants to pay for it. Rinse and repeat!
 
#6 ·
Not here. I did get a citation one day for leaving my trash can out 2 days after trash day(i was out of town). You are allowed to put them out the day before and must have them in by midnight the day of.

Some neighbors have been getting citations to fix paint, chipped stucco lately because out neighborhood is now 20 years old.

Have also gotten some warnings about cutting the grass.
 
#9 ·
I've also noticed that HOA's with higher monthly fees tend to be the ones with more restrictive rules.

SMP - here's my contribution to making this political - I wonder what would happen if I put up a confederate flag or maybe a Trump 2024, or a rainbow flag in my yard.

Pass the popcorn, make sure there is some butter on it.
 
#10 ·
This reminds me of a woman that was on a mission to have all speed humps removed. I like them after watching a speeder almost kill my son in a 25MPH zone, he was doing close to 65MPH. Anyway she claimed she was like the princess that could feel the pea between the mattresses and the speed humps are painful. I pointed out the any curb cut is much the same and by her definition she is unable to enter any driveway or parking lot. She finally gave up.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have only lived in HOA for 2 years back in late 80's. I hope to never need to again.

This might push it even more political…what's a shame is it's reaching a point a US Flag would get you same response.

I ve also noticed that HOA s with higher monthly fees tend to be the ones with more restrictive rules.

SMP - here s my contribution to making this political - I wonder what would happen if I put up a confederate flag or maybe a Trump 2024, or a rainbow flag in my yard.

Pass the popcorn, make sure there is some butter on it.

- EarlS
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
I was going to put an offer in on a house that suited our needs.
If having a shop in the garage is one of those needs, then it sounds like maybe that wasn't the house. Sure, you can buy anyways and then fight the HOA (which can translate into fighting with the neighbors). But why do that when all it might take is a phone call? Find out what they enforce and why. I live in a nice place with an HOA and run a DW735 planer some afternoons. Even setup my table saw just outside the garage once in a while to keep the dust outside. But I'm the guy who meets his neighbors, talks to them and tells them what I'm up to. Always end with "and if you need me to keep it down, just let me know". Same conversation my neighbor came over to talk to me about when I first moved in. He was an older woodworker whos favorite project was "making sawdust"! No issues after 4 yrs here…

Your mileage will vary.
 
#13 ·
HOA's the haven for wanna be dictators,
being in the building biz, i deal with them regularly, they treat contractors like they are the plague, and some home owners the same. once you get on the bad side of one or two, the complaints never end, and forget about painting your house a color you'd like or a plant you'd like or even if you park your car in drive way to unload more than an hour or so. and heaven forbid you leave a trash can out or allow a weed to grow in a part of yard they don't maintain.
yeah, gotta love'm can be a good deal, but some as noted rottencroch old bag hehe i'm 73 wants her way or else,

karens are every where these days
Rj in az
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
Our HOA doesn't allow shop outbuildings. But they do allow garages, so my shop has a garage door on one side, and double doors on the other side, and it got approved by both the architecture committee and Santa Fe County.

As for noise, I only make noise in the shop between about 9 and noon, or 1-3 in the afternoon. The next door neighbor on that side works up at Los Alamos, so she's generally not around, but when she's working from home (Covid), I make sure to close the shop doors and windows when I fire up the power tools, just in case. Bandsaw, belt-sander, and lathe. Nothing too loud, but no point in being an asshole to the neighbors.

We put decorative windows on the street side of the shop, and so far, everyone has been very supportive, especially since we've also spent two full years cleaning up the 3 acre lot after the original owners did no maintenance at all in their 12 years living here. I also use my pickup to help other neighbors haul loads of brush to the community dumpster when that's here every month of May for spring cleanup.

My recommendation is to find out the rules, live as close to them as possible, and have good relations with the neighbors. Someone still might complain (there's one in every neighborhood), but if most everyone thinks you're a good egg, you'll probably get a talk rather than a citation. "Hey, what's-her-name is complaining about your shop again. Maybe don't be dumping the walnut shavings on her petunias, okay?"
 
#17 ·
I've lived in two sub divisions with HOAs in Spartanburg. The first one I lived in for 8 years and had a garage shop. No one ever said a word. However, cars were definitely allowed in the driveway.

Where I am now, it's a nicer neighborhood and most folks park in their garages. However, not everyone does and it isn't required. My shop is in my basement now and the homes are farther apart, so noise is a non-issue.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
My guess is yes it will be a problem. The trend is to control and take away freedom.
All it takes is one person to complain.
I expect more mandates in the future.

- Aj2
It isn't a freedom if it were never aloud. That's like complaining your freedom to do 65 mph has been taken away when it's been 55 mph since the road was built.

If woodworking meant a lot to me(it does), I would not risk it. Nothing would be more frustrating than trying to enjoy your hobby only to be shut down permanently.
 
#20 ·
My guess is yes it will be a problem. The trend is to control and take away freedom.
All it takes is one person to complain.
I expect more mandates in the future.

- Aj2

It isn't a freedom if it were never aloud. That's like complaining your freedom to do 65 mph has been taken away when it's been 55 mph since the road was built.

If woodworking meant a lot to me(it does), I would not risk it. Nothing would be more frustrating than trying to enjoy your hobby only to be shut down permanently.

- CWWoodworking
Your point is well taken. :)
 
#21 ·
Here's how it goes with my neighbors, the ones I don't know at least, this happens every few months:

me: working in garage with my table saw pulled onto driveway

random neighbor: Excuse me, i live up the street around the cul de sac, i hate to bother you, I always see you doing woodworking. is this your job or a hobby?

me: hobby

neighbor: do you think if i brought <insert> you could <insert> sometime? if you aren't busy of course.

me: sure , bring it by, I'll take a look.

this has been random things such as making tables and chairs shorter, helping DIY soccer moms fix something they tried to make, or just showing how to do something, etc.

I have found over the years that if a neighbor complains about you, they probably don't like you, and most likely for a reason. of course many people are too full of themselves to think they could ever do anything to anger someone.
 
#22 ·
Having lived over 30 years with HOA, (2 different houses) and have had shops in both locations, haven't seen major issues like some of those mentioned here. I try to be respectful of neighbors like i want to be. Haven't had both cars in the garage in most of my time here.

There are advantages to HOA's of course, if not they wouldn't exist. Our neighborhood is about 40 years old and is very well kept. Homes from 400,000 - 1,000,000. There have been a few problems with non compliance ( poorly kept yards, etc. but very few over the years.

I just had a mini split installed in the garage and am a little concerned about the looks of the outside unit (seen from the street).
 
#23 ·
I agree with the higher HOA fee is proportional to HOA rule overreach. Also, really depends on your immediate neighbors about noise…keep good relations and you should be ok..1 house away the db goes way down. Get a sound meter ($20 on Bangood) and see how bad it is, and then go outside and measure…50db outside for short durations should be ok during work day. As far as restricting your business, it really depends on wether business is conducted with customers at the house or via the internet/phone. In fact, town may have more restrictions on that, than HOA does.
 
#24 ·
I had to have the offer in by 10:00 AM and my realtor spoke to the president of the HOA because the HOA management firm wouldn't return the call. He was very vague and said something to the effect "you can possibly park outside but it will be noticed and frowned upon". It wasn't a good feel so I passed on the house.
 
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