Homeowners associations, or HOAs, are quite common nowadays in many parts of the US, and there are plenty of benefits for someone who lives in an HOA community. However, when most people think of HOAs, they also think of the many homeowners association rules that a lot of these associations tend to have. This guide will cover all you need to know about HOA rules.
What Are HOA Rules and Regulations?
HOA rules and regulations are simply rules that are set out by the HOA board and exist to help everyone living in the community have the happiest and safest experiences. HOA rules can vary from association to association; there can be HOA gardening rules, HOA backyard rules, HOA pet rules, and so on.
How to Find Las Vegas HOA Rules?
If you’re living in a HOA in Nevada, you might want to find out about the specific Nevada HOA laws or rules that apply to you. It’s usually quite easy to find all of the relevant governing documents and legal documents via the local county recorder’s office website. This is also a good place to go if you have any general questions about HOA operations.
What Are the Benefits of HOA Rules?
If you’ve not lived in an HOA before, it might feel a little daunting to see all of those HOA landscaping rules for renters. However, there are various benefits that come along with HOA rules for plants, pets, landscaping, and so on, and many homeowners have had their lives improved thanks to the Common Interest Ownership Act and the development of HOAs.
- Aesthetics – One of the best benefits of HOA landscaping and gardening rules is how they help to keep areas looking clean and beautiful.
- Value – HOA rules can also help to maintain property values or even increase them, thanks to the high aesthetic standards of the homes in the area.
- Comfort – Many people find a sense of comfort in living in a well-regulated and well-maintained community with clear rules and guidelines.
- Community – Since all homeowners follow the same guidelines, HOA rules can also foster a spirit of community and togetherness among neighbors.
- Safety – HOA rules can also help to keep families safe, creating happy and pleasant places to live.
Common HOA Rules in Nevada
There can be many different kinds of HOA rules in different communities. Some are very useful and beneficial, while others may be seen as less relevant to some, but may still have value in certain situations. It’s important to be aware of local rules, especially if you plan on carrying out any changes to your property, like hiring landscaping services in Las Vegas.
HOA Landscaping Rules
Most of the common HOA rules in Nevada are in relation to landscaping and yards, and could affect you if you want to do some landscape design or plant pest treatment, for instance. Here are some of the main laws and how they work.
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Require an Approved Plant Palette
Many HOA policies have a clear plant palette that homeowners have to stick to. This means that there’s basically a list of plants that you’re allowed to grow on your property, and this is done in order to make the neighborhood look harmonious and beautiful, while also helping to safeguard against invasive species that could threaten local wildlife or plants.
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Unapproved Decorations
Generally, HOAs restrict the use of certain decorative elements around the outside of homes. Again, this is done to make sure that the area looks neat and attractive, keeping property values high and preventing any particular homeowner from using decorations that others may find to be unpleasant, offensive, or out-of-touch with the local community.
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Limit or Restrict Personal Gardens
Some HOA gardening rules may also be present in Nevada to control or even prevent homeowners from creating their own gardens. Such rules can vary; some of them might allow you to have a small flower bed or herb garden, for instance, while others may outlaw gardens entirely. Again, this is usually due to aesthetics and property values.
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Implement Rules on Removing Trees
If you want to remove a tree somewhere on your property or in front of your home, you may need to check the HOA rules before you do so. Many HOAs have strict policies about tree removal and will need to provide official permission to a homeowner before a tree can be removed. The reason for this is that trees can beautify an area and add value.
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Storage Structures
A lot of HOAs may also have rules regarding storage structures in your backyard. It may not be possible to simply buy and set up a shed or outdoor storage solution, as these structures have a risk of affecting a property’s value and damaging the harmonious aesthetics of the area. They could also attract pests, which could cause problems for other homeowners in the community.
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Backyard Fencing or Hardscapes
It’s also not uncommon for a HOA to have strict policies about hardscaping or fencing. Fences can add value to a property and have useful benefits, and hardscaping structures like patios can also be good additions, but could harm a property’s value if installed incorrectly. HOAs therefore try to ensure that any fences or hardscaped surfaces are installed the right way and made of the best materials.
What Are the Articles of Incorporation?
The Articles of Incorporation is a document that is legally required in the US and Canada whenever a business, corporation, or non-profit organization is created. It outlines what the business or organization does and provides other key information, and since an HOA is technically a non-profit, it will need to file the Articles of Incorporation with the relevant authority.
What Are CC&Rs?
CC&Rs stands for covenants, conditions, and restrictions. Also known as the declaration or master deed, the CC&Rs is another legal document that basically explains the various rights and duties of the board members, homeowners, and other key figures in a homeowners association. As a legal document, the rules in the CC&Rs are binding and must be followed, and there shouldn’t be any unenforceable HOA rules in this document.
What Are Bylaws?
The bylaws for a homeowners association essentially outline how the association is run. They can include rules regarding the elections of new board members, for example, or what happens if an existing board member leaves. They may also provide detailed instructions on community meetings, HOA budgets, and so on. All of this information is relevant to how the HOA operates.
In addition, if you plan to make any changes to your property with the aid of landscaping maintenance service in Las Vegas, you’ll need to be sure that you follow the rules to avoid any problems. Contact our landscapers today to learn more about services that could be available to you that fit in with your local HOA rules.
To finalize, HOA rules and regulations can seem strict, but they all exist for a reason and can help to create happy communities with high value homes and pleasant, well-maintained outdoor spaces. It’s crucial for HOAs to create and enforce clear and understandable rules for all, and homeowners also need to take the time to read through the local rules.
