Anyone keeping chickens secret from a HomeOwners Association?

aligarysmom said:

Wow, this is crazy.

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Suzanb423 said:

I really appreciate your advice and empathy. We have had chickens for 7 years. We are far enough from everyone (on 10 acres of land) that no one knew until we told them. We told them when the homeowners took over the HOA. We asked for neighbors support and some do support us but don’t want to get involved. We proposed new wording and were shot down. The only reason we are having to deal with this is because we said we have chickens and would like to vote to change the HOA.
I was hoping that someone might know of a loophole, like the amount of land or something that we haven’t thought of. We just hate the idea that someone else is going to dictate how we live when they literally can not see or hear us. They just don’t like the idea of chickens.

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aligarysmom said:

So wondering about when this HOA was established? Was it after you already lived there? there is an HOA for 10 acre spaces?

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Suzanb423 said:

The HOA was established but not enforced. No one ever complained. Then homeowners took over, we came clean in hopes of changing rules and are now being fined. After 6 months they will but a lien on our house. We have 2 lots. It doesn’t matter how big the lot is. The rules apply to everyone.

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Suzanb423 said:

The HOA was established but not enforced. No one ever complained. Then homeowners took over, we came clean in hopes of changing rules and are now being fined. After 6 months they will but a lien on our house. We have 2 lots. It doesn’t matter how big the lot is. The rules apply to everyone.

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aligarysmom said:

Yes, I didn't mean to imply that the rules didn't apply, I was just wondering about HOA in a non-tract home situation. The original intent of allow them to make rules for areas was for close proximity. If you aren't in close then why was it formed. There could be rules for non- compliance as well. Did you already goto court over this? IF not can you contest the lien? Also, I am asking all these questions because we also had someone try to fine my family for HOA rules. However, they were not signed when my parents purchased the home, the title co. forgot to present them. So, they couldn't enforce them, as they didn't agree to them upon move-in. Although they threatened (we had a large satelite dish before they were small, it was hidden behind the house, but they insisted it broke the rules. It was also there when they bought the home, along with a two-store play house that you could see from the street) they were never able to get anything to stick for a fine, or lien.

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Acre4Me said:

so, you signed original HOA docs? Were there anti-chicken rules in there? When homeowners took over, what was the purpose? If all lots are 5+ acres, there must be a reason for the rules -guessing upscale homes, uniformity of keeping those homes upscale, etc.

you could do some research to see what surrounding areas allow. You could propose “restrictive” rules that anyone with chickens needs to adhere to... that work for you. I say “restrictive” bc that would give the naysayers comfort in knowing there were concrete rules. Certain lot size, limit on number of chickens (which could be based on lot size, so smallest lot could have 4 or 6, but largest could have maybe 18-24). Not apparent from the street,not larger than x, certain distance from property lines and main residences, no roosters, rules apply only to chickens older than 6 months. Maybe this would satisfy the naysayers bc the rules have definite standards and they can see that other close By, or similar value neighborhoods allow chickens within limits.

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Suzanb423 said:

We just hate the idea that someone else is going to dictate how we live.

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The Moonshiner said:

But isn't this exactly what people sign up for when they move into a place with a HOA?

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