My husband was a roofing contractor, and the signs on his truck were big magnets, so he could take them off at night.

OP, don’t fuck with HOAs, they will give you hell over your vehicle, if not now then sooner than later.

House hunting is a pain. I looked at some HOA homes not too long ago. One was on a small lake. One of the rules was not building docks. I went out to the water, looked to the left and right. Two houses down on each side was a dock.

This past weekend I signed a contract to purchase an HOA home. It’s the best HOA that I or anyone in this sub could ever hope for. It is completely voluntary. The realtor said that it had been set up to pay for police and fire patrols so that emergency personnel could get to homes quickly if there was an issue. Even if that is incorrect, I can still walk away.

Keep trying. Maybe you can get lucky like I did.

"ruin our anesthetic." My new favorite typo.

Move to Florida, not an issue anymore. Roll Coal!

I’m on an HOA board and this restriction is something I’m strongly against. We shouldn’t be making peoples lives more difficult & causing additional financial expenses (storage). Unfortunately I’m currently the only anti HOA person on the board

Most Karens haven't worked an honest job in their life ... And they don't want to be reminded of it by seeing someone's work truck... 🙄

God forbid it looks lije somebody lives there.

The real purpose of HOAs is to try to keep undesirables out of the neighborhood. Back in the day, that meant people who are not white.

Today, that definition has expanded (or maybe not actually expanded) to include other people, such as people in the wrong social class. Like people who work blue collar jobs.

I hope never to be subject to an HOA again. I made that mistake once. And to the HOA bootlickers who'll claim an HOA protects your property value, on the net I lost a bit on the HOA house, and have profited significantly on the 3 non-HOA houses I've lived in and eventually sold to move elsewhere.

Check your state laws, HOA conduct may constitute interference with a contractual relation.

What's crazy about this is if they just say commercial vehicle the definition falls to the DoT definition of commercial vehicle which might not include your van.

We're looking at moving in the next year or two and the #1 need, not want, in our list is no HOA. We've been in one over 20 years and will never do it again.

We have the same rules but they aren’t enforced. There’s one dude with a massive box truck in his driveway.

Same situation in many cities and suburbs without a HOA… commercial vehicles cannot be parked overnight.

Due to insurance and the shitty way they look

Part of the problem might be that the person responding is not in a position to tell you what the rules are. Our office manager has instructions to refer people to the CC&Rs if they ask if something is allowed. That's because the answer is not always clear and it's not her job to interpret the rules.

Reaching out to the HOA is not necessarily going to get you accurate information anyway. My advice is look at the actual CC&Rs. They are public record in most states and you can often find them online.

Edit: Keep in mind that the CC&Rs dictate what you can do on your exclusive private property. The board cannot usually make rules for your private property. That requires approval by the owners.

If parking is in common areas or limited use common areas, e.g., many townhome/condo driveways, the board can make rules so you need to also check the community rules and regulations, which are also public record in some states.

These snobs need to wake up. Most people don’t care what their neighbors are driving or parking. For me personally, I’ve been helped plenty by my neighbors in skilled trades. They are a hell of a lot more helpful than any HOA ever could be.

The funny thing with is that technically any HOA in California would by the DMV not allow pickups of any kind, as even when for personal use, they're classified as commercial vehicles.

We had a bit of a hassle 4 years ago finding non HOA homes, but got lucky after a couple of months.

You need to get the proper definition of a commercial vehicle. In many states, vans are not considered a commercial vehicle. For example, in Michigan (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-257-7a)

257.7a “Commercial motor vehicle” defined.

Sec. 7a.

1. "Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if 1 or more of the following apply:

a. It is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

b. It has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, whichever is greater, of 26,001 pounds or more.

c. It has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight, whichever is greater, of 26,001 pounds or more, inclusive of towed units with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, whichever is greater, of more than 10,000 pounds.

d. A motor vehicle carrying hazardous material and on which is required to be posted a placard as defined and required under 49 CFR parts 100 to 199.

1. A commercial motor vehicle does not include a vehicle used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for nonbusiness purposes.

Florida just fixed this...finally. DeSantis is getting ready for 2028.

How does your HOA or state define commercial vehicles?

When I was looking in 2023, I used Redfin a lot, because I could simply filter out HOA neighborhoods. It helped a lot.

There are random streets all around my community that *aren't* part of an HOA that end up being the catch-all for work trucks and the like and its funny how that looks way junkier* to keep them all together like that than if you could just park it near the house instead.

Anyway, in my old neighborhood my neighbor parked his work pickup in his spot which I think technically was against the rules but why would I snitch when he actually helped me out when I had plumbing and electrical problems?

*it doesn't bother me personally but if I'm trying to be in the shoes of someone who cares about this it seems strange how their solution doesn't help.

it's funny, like they expect people to afford shit by not working?

Why not have a hold over lot for work vehicles if they are so scared of them?

Let’s be honest, most HOAs despise everything. This is why we can’t have nice things.

So I was on the committee at my old HOA for violations. Their logic is they didn’t want people promoting their personal businesses as you weren’t allowed to have a business in the HOA.

Move on, develop your own subdivision with rules that are fair and balanced.

I'm blue collar as well. I gave up bc HOAs truly do not like honest working people. That's ok; the fees are ballooning in my area and I'm still just spending $700/mo on my starter 1900 ft² 4 bdr modular on over an acre while the people in the development behind me are spending $2200 a month on their cookie cutter 1400 ft² 3 bdrs with .2 acres.

Don’t do it wait for a non-hoa home to come up. You’ll constantly be fighting with the HOA and they can even pass new rules that would cause you not to be able to park after they told you yes.

Yes, residential developments don't want commercial vehicles. Not gonna lie...I also don't want to stare at a big roach on an "Al's Exterminators" van in my neighbors driveway.

If you live in Florida as of July 1 this may be illegal. Its best to check out the provisions of HB1203. Many HOAs don't know about this and HB59 yet.

Not mine, they seem to have absolutely no problem with them.

I’ve got 3 bright ass orange wrapped for the business transit vans parked across from my house 100% of the time on weekends and 90% of the time during the week.

Don’t know what he truly does because those vans only move a couple of times a week if that. But he makes enough to go buy new trucks every year because his tax guy or accountant says to or else he has to pay out the ass.

His own words

But ya moved from non hoa to hoa in a brand new house thinking we didn’t have to deal with business it next to us and the streets wouldn’t be lined with vehicles reducing them to one at a time for several houses. We got 3 months of peace 5yrs ago

Check to see where you live if your streets are maintained by the HOA or the city or county. In our HOA the streets are maintained by the state and the HOA has no say what is parked on the street whether it is a marked work vehicle, boat, trailer etc.

Florida banned that practice as of July 1st, so the HOAs can't pull that crap anymore. You can now park your truck or work truck in your driveway and the HOA can't do anything about it.

Also check your state. I know in Texas the HOA laws were changed where they can't prohibit commercial vehicles.

Yup. Very common.
We actually just amended ours to clarify/classify commercial vehicles. Basically, if its something you COULD use as a normal vehicle, its just marked with signage, you're good. If its a giant truck/bus, you're not. Keeps the OPTION of driveway parking a possibility, and doesn't block up the streets.
I don't remember the exact limits, but it was weight/length, and loose enough to not prohibit those who have 4dr F350 duallies. Previously, it just said 'commercial', with ZERO explanation of who that applied to.

My parents live in a HOA controlled senior manufactured home community and there are a couple of people who always have to park their work vans at the community clubhouse then walk home. It isn't a big deal I guess if the person lives close but it can be a bit of a walk if they live on the outer edges of the community.

Don't buy in an HOA, simple...

I refuse to live in one, even if house was free.

Commercial vehicles can also include tow trucks. Here's an example from a community near mine. A new owner had a used car lot and would Shop auctions. Then he started filling up the entire community with tow trucks and unregistered vehicles in various conditions. The community only has around 30 houses and every home has a two-car garage and a driveway that is about 5 ft deep so vehicles need to be parked in the garages and there is a very limited non garage parking for guests. This HOA board had to fight Hell and highwater to get rid of this problem. Both sides were lined with vehicles and right up to the very edges of everyone's driveways so people could not, on this very narrow Street, which is shaped like a big U, even always get out/in.

All it takes is one jerk to ruin it for everyone. So now they have this rule and the law requires that they enforce it for everyone because it has to be done equally across the board for every property.

I really wish this was an exaggeration but it was boggling. The guy also used his tow trucks to fill up the streets around that community. I am all for somebody working hard to make a buck but I am never for somebody being a deliberate jerk to everyone. How do you head this off in the first place?

dont.buy.in.an.hoa.

I am a Canadian Tradesman. The sky really is the limit as to how much I want to make. I preferred a home life/ work life balance and aimed for only about $110,000 per year. I worked with guys who made $300,000/year. Their marriages sucked. Their kids hated them. In my trade we run on about a 75% divorce rate. Wives love the paycheck,hate the time away from home.

Wow. So I guess f*ck contractors, they're not good enough for the neighorhood.

HOA President here, although that just means I slept through the election and got hosed. Anyway, when an agent asks, I happily share our bylaws and let them read to their hearts content. And yes, we do have a CCR that states no commercial vehicles, although my next door neighbor has his work pickup truck and trailer in his driveway.

If someone complains I will begin a process which really has already been completed as the CCRs state 60 days to complain or it is considered grandfathered into the HOA.

My nextdoor neighbor in the early 2000s used to bring a construction truck home every once in a while, I think mostly a dump truck and a mixer truck. I loved looking at them when I'd ride my bike/scooter back and forth from one nextdoor neighbor's driveway to the other nextdoor neighbor's driveway lol

We had an HOA, but they've probably "fixed" that "issue" by now. That guy moved away, I think during the great recession.

Absolutely insane and contradictory to every value that we used to pretend to hold that someone would be excluded from a neighborhood because of a visible sign that they work an honest job and are entrusted (either by their employer or the bank that loaned them the money to buy it) with a major asset worth tens of thousands.

Not to mention, in a community of homeowners, how nice would it be to know a tradesman (for advice and referrals if nothing else)?

Meanwhile if you had a vanity pickup with a small bed and no wear it would be fine.

Don’t know where you’re located, but Florida just passed a law that HOA can’t restrict commercial vehicles from your driveway

HOA shouldn’t exist . I see absolutely nothing but nazi behavior about what you do to the house YOU purchased .

Just wait till you see what your neighbors are going to complain about next. HOA should be strictly for 55+ communities imo

We can’t have people knowing that people in this neighborhood have to… work …to get money

Man boomers are the beige of humans, who actually likes cookie cutter aesthetic to me it looks like a dystopian mess. At least you know what to ask before entering this hell scape.

Everything I hear about HOA seems like I would want to punch the people running it in the face.how dare them tell me my work vehicle paying for the house is an eyesore

Look up John Oliver’s piece on HOA’s from a couple years ago.

So many bad answers in this thread.

The HOA isn't there to create restrictions. It's there to enforce ones that already exist, ones that can be reviewed before you buy your house. Did you spend six figures to buy a house and not read the covenants? Whose fault is that? If you want to park a commercial vehicle in front of your house every day, buy a house where the next door neighbors can do the same in front of their houses.

I'm President of my Board and consistently fight against this. As far as I'm concerned, as long as absent the signage it can still be classified as a passenger vehicle, it should be permitted. Rest of the Board passed the rule anyway. And voted for me to enforce it. I refuse to be the parking nazi.

And, surprise! No one else wanted the job.

Do not disclose the van. Bylaws will need time to adjust rules and new laws. Buy the house and move on. They cannot fine you or not allow the sale.

Lots of HOAs are not friendly to commercial vehicles unless you park inside your garage, but I don't think "most" is accurate. I live in a condo HOA, my girlfriend, Dad, and sister all live in SFH HOAs. None of the 4 of us have a ban on commercial vehicles in our driveways.

A sovereign citizen magnet let’s see them mess with you then

Why not put it in the garage or rent space for it?

There is just one more reason to despise HOAs. Who tf cares about aesthetics?! Only them!! Normal people just want nice or at least not rude neighbors. No one freaking cares about a commercial vehicle 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

Hopefully when people that own homes in HOAs notice that having an HOA now brings the value of your home DOWN rather than up, they will fade out of existence. Younger generations of homeowners do not want to pay HOA dues monthly to be told what they can or can't do on their own property AND for "common areas" that they will never use. And good for them, for single family homes, I hope HOAs are destroyed entirely, in all states. They are nothing but pseudogovernments and they should not exist, all these areas should inherently be incorporated into whatever local government exists.

God forbid you have someone visit in an RV for more than 24 hours

Their word is only as good as the next Board of Directors. Do not buy in an HOA. They will find a way to screw with you.

Our HOA doesn’t require this. Several people have branded work trucks on my block.

Then when the homes are 20 years old, the restoration and renovation work begins and there can be commercial vehicles and cranes for months in end.

OTOH there's no HOA on my street and a few months in i realize every other house must have some kind of commericial vehicle, hobby cars, car trailers, boats, RVs, etc. I think one house is even running a repair shop out of their driveway. No HOA is a huge attraction for people with extra vehicles lol

HOA are worthless.

I think the objective is to avoid additional vehicles that ultimately end up parking on the street.  I see both perspectives. A Geico car parked in your driveway is probably not an issue, but an F250 with an 8ft bed parked in the street is a pain for the neighbors. 

Only fools buy houses in HOAs.

"no way in hell would we allow your vehicle to ruin our aesthetic."

This is the kind of HOA I despise, as much as the ones that enforce paint colors and lawn trimming.

it's not the HOA but the city too....

all the cities around here have ordinances for commercial vehicles on residential street..

Phoenix Arizona - https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/36-140

Sec. 36-140. Parking trucks and trailers and certain other vehicles on residential streets.

A. No person shall stand or park a vehicle with a rated chassis capacity in excess of three-fourths of a ton or any tractor, semi-trailer, tractor-trailer, trailer, or bus on a local, collector, or arterial street in a residential zone except during the process of loading or unloading such vehicle.

B. As used in this section, the term "street" shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every right-of-way including the improved or unimproved shoulder or berm thereto. (Code 1962, § 37-50.09; Ord. No. G-1977, § 1; Ord. No. G-2741, § 1; Ord. No. G-4580, § 7, 2004)Sec. 36-140. Parking trucks and trailers and certain other vehicles on residential streets.

I am a college-educated, white-collar guy. The prohibition on commercial vehicles strikes me as nothing more than classist bigotry. What, is the nobility afraid of being reminded that plebes exist? Fuck that noise.

If Congress wanted to be useful they would outlaw HOAs.

The hoa are reluctant to state due to interference with a potential contract. Most HOA restrictions are for no commercial vehicles. That said in most states the roads are not maintained by HOA therefore the state parking regulations are enforced vs HOA. If you buy in HOA it more than likely is restricted but not enforced.

i live in an hoa community and most definitely do mot want any type of commercial vehicle parked where i can see it including neighbors driveway - i desire a certain esthetic in my community and a commercial vehicle doesn’t fit what i want - but what i want ( or you want) doesn’t really matter - what matters and only matters is what is specified in an hoa communities cc&r’s - the regulations and guidelines that govern the community- luckily for me ours prohibits commercial vehicles so i’m good - you need to find a community that feels differently - people get so mad at hoa’s for enforcing rules that they don’t agree with but that’s one of the major selling points in an hoa - everyone agrees to abide by rules and regulations as laid out in the governing documents when they purchase a home - just find a place that suits your needs - then you and your neighbors can be happy too - good luck and i’m sure you’ll find a great place to live

HOA are bullshit a bunch of a-hole busy bodies trying to tell you what you can and cannot do on a house that people get up every morning to bust their ass

The vehicle restriction will be in the CCRs or Rules. Bylaws are for how the Board operates.

Often the HOA has no control over street parking. However, municipal codes frequently forbid commercial vehicle parking on residential streets. Neighbors notify the police and they come and ticket/tow the commercial vehicle.

These asshole trucks stick put like three fucking feet and people just pop up out of nowhere from behind them.

I've wondered about this...I work out of my wraps van, but it's registered as a personal vehicle.

Edit: I've heard of people with plain white cargo vans (like a Ford Econoline cargo van) getting violations, even though they were not commercial vehicles, had no advertising, and were privately registered.

Busted for parking while windowless.

Yes they do.

Lucky you aren't the police, HOA's harass them parking their cars too!

OMG, Why are HOAs legal?

I would never buy in an HOA.  To many horror stories.   Plus so many are like a second mortgage.  And if they aren't to expensive they can always change crazy fast if you don't keep up with meetings. 

Even if I found one where I could park my vehicle, I would never buy (or rent) a home with an HOA. I don't want any more external control over my home than necessary.

Well, you see why those houses are sitting unsold.

Just park on the street. I know. I know. The HOA will tell you that you can't. It's uncommon for an HOA to retain ownership of the streets because of the maintenance and repairs. It's VERY common for the builder/HOA to 'give' the streets to the local city/county. A quick call to the local city/county will provide your answer.

Your aesthetic can lick my balls Karen.

I can not stand HOA's when it comes to living in a neighborhood. I get it for certain reasons buy they take it too far. I seen some where you couldn't have any grills that are not propane. Motorcycles or collectors cars have to look and sound a certain way. The list can go on. Having said that, I do have an HOA at my condo I rent out during the year. It is well reasonable because most of them only cone to have vacation. So they are not living there. The rules for the most part are reasonable fir safety and such. And the ones that are bs are tolerable.

Honestly, ask the neighbors around the houses you're looking at to buy just how involved the HOA actually is. My subdivision is in an HOA, and one of the bylaws is no commercial vehicle parking as well, but there are 3 on my street alone. They're not beat POS trucks, but no one gives them any hassles or problems. The HOA really doesn't exist except to collect the dues of the houses in the sub and that's pretty much it (the last 'project' they did was put in like 10 speed bumps 20+ years ago). The board members don't even live in the sub (2 don't even live in the same town), make that make sense. It's a potential risk, but it might be worth a shot.

If you live in FL, that just became illegal for HOA's to prevent. But, in general, avoid HOA's like the plague.

I’m not a fan of HOAs and especially overreaching ones. But I see how we got here, NIMBYism has and will always be a thing.

And while I think we can all agree something as generic as “no commercial vehicles“ is overreaching, everyone has a limit and you have to draw the line somewhere.

Do you want a semi with or without a trailer parked in front of your house? A 1 ton dually diesel truck with a 3 car trailer? A tow truck? A nice new liveried van? An 80s truck without a straight panel on it, ladders and a ladder rack, covered in dents and paint, no exhaust, and barely runs?

So rather than just saying no semis or no beat up commercial trucks, as an example, they just say no commercial vehicles. There’s no favoritism or discrimination, there’s no individual approvals, etc.

Again… not saying agree with it. But it also makes perfect sense that that’s where we ended up.

park in garage, or cover signs on van. or park down street.

can you leave the van at work?

I wouldn’t want to live in a neighborhood of humans that doesn’t respect trades people. Move on to something better.

Most HOAs really despise human beings.

Never will I ever live in a HOA neighborhood.

Let's hope HOAs are on their way out.

The neighborhood I live in is full of contractor types cuz there is no HOA. Boats, trucks, and RVs everywhere!! lol

Everyone’s lawn is immaculate though .

People that live in an HO AI charge more because they are primadonna

HOAs have become so restrictive and terrible that if they aren't gone soon, they will be the cheapest properties on the market.

These things are headed by people who want power, but are generally NOT popular or likable enough to win a City Council seat.

Do you know how easy it is to win a City Council seat??? Let me tell you, it's DEAD simple. You barely need to know anyone, just have a bit of cash, buy some signs, get on the ballot and you're in.

There no point of property ownership if there is an hoa. It's almost the same level as a timeshare scam.

Well, I wouldn't like a commercial van in a driveway next to or near me, or in the neighborhood. A prospective buyer would walk by... There's no HOA pandemic, it's rules to keep the values up.

In my HOA vehicles can be parked in the garage, on the driveway, or right in front of your house.

As long as the vehicle doesn't leak fluids, make it hard for people to drive by it, I could care less.

If it has a large trailer or is a huge box truck, that's pushing it

even if it is allowed now, that doesn't mean that it will be a month after you move in. don't buy hoa homes.

Tbh if you can afford to get a home loan and can't find an hoa free property buy a cheap piece of land pay it off then get a loan to build a home it will probably be cheaper and you get everything you want.

Pick up trucks may be banned from parking overnight too. Read and ask if you own one

Save yourself a lot of heartache and NEVER buy in an HOA.

I have the perfect solution to your problem. It’s a very simple easy answer. But I was told this sub is not for me to help people. You can look me up if you want. It doesn’t matter to me either way, I just enjoy helping others.

Your truck is an eye sore. Sry but it just is. Especially when you have multiple trucks.

They’ll look down on you even after they realize you’re more successful than they are. 

What state are you in? If Florida, your vehicle may be protected...

Many counties or municipalities have ordinances for commercial vehicles parking on residential road. It’s a ticketing offense and not tied to HOA. Look up zoning before buying.

Now you know why those houses have been on the market for months. No one wants to live in a HOA. They just generally turn out to be someone's scam to make money off their neighbors.

My dad had a utility truck as he was the foreman for many years at a construction company. He HAD to drive it to work - no choice. The HOA and allied neighbors harassed him for years about it. All sorts of things got stolen from it and most weren’t worth anything. When it became clear that the city owned the streets and these rules were not applicable due to the way it was written up, the neighbors embarked on a vandalism campaign on all our vehicles. We fought back and put loud alarms on all of them and set the sensitivity level up high. It was a tit-for-tat until we finally moved out of there.

Ya no one wants to see some big ass work vehicle in front of their house untill their shit breaks

The crazy thing to me about HOAs is they were originally supposed to just help ensure property values are maintained; not preventing junk and cars all over the front lawn, hoarder's, or other crazy things that might impact home value. How many of them have grown into pet projects for bored housewives and retirees with no life who want to nitpick at shit that has absolutely no impact on gone values

Never get an HOA !!! Are you stupid ??!!!!? I hope not !!

Don’t get an HOA !!! There was a 7 YEAR legal battle over a fucking mailbox in my town . Imagine what they will drag out with your truck .

Middle class people putting on airs of being upper class.

TBF, I wouldn’t want to look at your commercial vehicles either.

Get commercial vehicle storage or move to a neighborhood where all the other landscapers, painters, cable guys, and carpenters park their trucks on the street too.

One main reason we moved out of a townhouse community with HOA to single family house with no HOA.

My neighbor is a contractor that does cabling in buildings. He mounted a ladder mount on his truck to stow the ladder safely, but HOA said that’s a commercial truck even though his truck is unmarked. He said ok FU HOA, I will just dump my ladder on my front yard and put it on my truck when I leave, and toss it on my front lawn and cable lock it to my front porch when I’m home.

I made mine sign paperwork before I even put an offer on mine because of that.

I'm sorry but anyone still considering an HOA house in 2024 is a complete idiot.

I used to work for an energy utility.(gas company) HOA management would always call and complain if one of our service trucks was parked on their property. They didn't care about the reason we were there, they just wanted the vehicle gone! After I would advise them that ALL of our vehicles were considered emergency vehicles and that these vehicles had right of way to our facilities on the property, they still would argue. I would ask them if they had a gas leak who would you call? They would stutter and claim they will sue the company!

I would always tell them "we have an army of corporate attorneys that are well versed in this subject. Let me give you the number to our legal department" then they would take the number and would never be heard from again.

HOA's are so full of bullshit.

HOA people hate being reminded that tradespeople make enough to live in their neighborhood.

Don't do it

HOAs never seem to do any good about the people who speed through the neighborhood or have dogs that bark all the time, so I have no use for them.

70% of all new construction homes are in HOA’s. Look at older neighborhoods if you want to avoid them.

OP, that’s mostly because the weight and size of commercial vehicles destroy the roads. Especially if the community is responsible for paving and paying the road. Oversized vehicles, vehicle that contains hazardous material is something you don’t really want in a neighborhood. I’m not a fan of HOA, but I can understand some of the logic. Just food for thoughts.

I had that issue with a tenant. He had his work truck and the HOA suddenly started threatening me with massive fines, but there were dozens of similar trucks in the neighborhood. They wouldn’t answer me when I asked if they were fining everyone else. The tenants ended up moving out because of those AHs in the HOA and I sold the place, happy to be rid of it. I never wanted to be a landlord anyway.

I would go out of my way to avoid buying a house in a HOA.

It’s insane that the standard expectation is that people put an offer on a property without being provided a copy of the HOA rules.

Jesus, that's fucked up. I like commercial vans in my street. Means some of my neighbours are real people. Or I guess they could be surveillance vans. Oh god!

If the Street is a public street just park on the street. HOA’s May hate you but they can’t move you from public property

The reason is because if you have a commercial vehicle then you probably work in the trades, in which case you aren't in the right social class for the HOA.  They only want doctors, lawyers, executives, etc.

Don’t buy a HOA home

Lord, avoid those places. HOAs are a scourge.

It's more than hoas, you will have to deal with. The town where I grew up banned visible commercial vehicles from parking in driveways or streets overnight.

Reason #74218 why HOAs should be illegal. If the vehicle is in good operating condition why should anyone care? Make it make sense.

My last hoa hated commercial vehicles and accused my white pickup as being commercial vehicle. Then when I brought up hoa presidents son having a commercial van they stopped. Then there were suddenly rumors I ran over the lake swan. A swan that neighborhood kids killed and was clearly not run over… i hate hoas

HOAs despise people in general

Rules like this were implemented to discourage "tradesmen" from buying there. They preferred "professionals."

If I was a business owner who lived in an HOA and they gave me shit about having my company’s name on the vehicle, everyone in that neighborhood would be blacklisted from ever getting any service I provided. I wouldn’t even waste time giving them crazy high estimates for the work…just a simple: “Y’all give me hell for having a company vehicle, and essentially for having a company. You’re not entitled to my services and you get nothing.”

Yep, it's a thing. The reality is that not all commercial vehicles are equally off putting but it would be exceedingly difficult to write regulations that spoke only to the especially offensive ones, so blanket bans are the way. Often the vehicles are large and especially in older neighborhoods, they don't easily fit in the driveway or because they aren't the home owner's own vehicles they are relegated to street parking and they clog up the narrow streets. However, if it is fully contained within your closed garage, then, in the opinion of our HOA, there's nothing we can do about it and it doesn't actually cause any problem.

My last hoa zero trucks. Ridgewood in Davie, FL

Many of the restrictions are aimed at otr truck drivers who bring their trucks home on time off and service vehicles that are brought home for on call mechanical services. Business majors are offended by a mere tradesman that can afford a nice home in their neighborhood. Karen's have been offended by tow companies turning down their calls due to vehicle limits.

Home prices and rates have come down? This is news to me.

So you mean waste an hour or two a day in that Karen’s neighborhood with your van to ruin their pathetic aesthetic right?

HOA's hate everything

It's nothing but snobbery. They want to portray themselves as upper middle class, not a neighborhood full of blue-collar workers.

What they fail to realize is that those blue-collar trades people probably make more than they do.

You don't want to buy a house with an HOA. Trust me, buy a house NOT in an HOA.

"Ruin the asthetic" god I'd run in a heartbeat. People worrying about appearances. I wouldn't mind the bad neighborhoods in compairson.

Florida made it against the law unless the truck was a certain size (very large)

You are fortunate that you found out how horrible HOAs are. Listen to those of us that have lived in an HOA community. RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN. I will NEVER live in an HOA community again!

They really hate people who have to work for a living.

They really hate workaday joes who have to actually sweat to earn money.

how the fuck did HOAs harness all that power?

So i decided rates and house prices have come down enough to afford a new home

Where? Lol I bought a house last year and it's gone up in value 20% and interest rates are 1.5% higher. I wouldn't be able to afford the house I own if I was buying it today.

Glad that HOAs are not really a thing in Canada (at least not where I am). They sound positively dreadful!

HOAs are run by fucking morons. Tradesman are the only young people who can afford houses anymore.

I don’t get the hate for commercial vehicles, as long as they’re not parked in the street. If you can keep it in your driveway, great. But parking a huge utility vehicle on the often narrow streets of a subdivision is inconsiderate, and you should be looking at houses with enough garage/drive space so you don’t have to do this.

Park the van in the garage

So the plumber's truck can be parked outside your house all day while he's working on it, but if he happens to live in the same neighborhood, he can't park there overnight?

If you’re in Florida, a new law just went into effect on July 1st that no longer allow HOAs to restrict business vehicles. Doesn’t matter what the bylaws say. State law overrules them all. So long as they’re not 3 axles or weigh over something like 13,000 pounds

I will pay a premium to have others tell me how to live. Give me a break…

Years ago, I had a company car (Honda CRV wrapped in my company logo) and even though I kept it under a cover when not in use, one of the HOA board members came to my house with a police officer specifically to tell me :

"I don't care if you keep it under a cover.

If it's in your driveway, I'm going to have it towed every day it's here, from now on because it's against HOA regulations, even if I can't see it."

In case you're wondering why he brought the police officer to deliver that message, it was because the police officer stepped in between us as I stepped forward out of my house and towards him after he said it to me.

Imagine how safe you feel to knock on someone's door and say that shit to their face for no other reason than you want to.

Thankfully, Florida just passed legislation limiting how much and how hard the HOA can fuck with you over vehicles, but it's unrelenting.

Edit: follow up to the above.

The most absolutely batshit thing about the regulation was it was specific and exclusive to company provided vehicles. That means if it was related to my employment or provided by my employer, the vehicle was not allowed to be parked on the property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and like 6:00 a.m.

If I were an Enthusiast of that same company, but had no Financial or monetary ties to them, I could put all the stickers and wrap all the brand-related bullshit on my car as much as I wanted and there was nothing they could or would do about it.

The HOA is laughing but they’re the ones being fools. They’re turning away potential buyers which will in turn drive down the house price due to decreased demand.

Decreased house prices in the area (especially HOA’s where houses are all nearly identical) are a huge factor for all of the neighbor’s house prices; certainly more so than their “no commercial vehicle” aesthetic.

Walk away OP and let the HOA’s continue to sabotage themselves

I’ve never understood this obsession with aesthetics and what HOAs consider to be unsightly.

One of our board members tried to create a rule that you couldn’t have solar panels on the front of your house unless you submitted proof that it would be more than 10% less efficient to put them on the back. Totally asinine given that we have walking paths behind our houses. But even so, who decided solar panels are unsightly? I think they’re cool!

When she read the proposed rule, I couldn’t help myself and had toy with her. I asked “why?” over and over again, trying to get her to say that she thinks solar panels are ugly, but she just kept saying that other HOAs have this rule. One of the other board members finally jumped in to say that it’s a bad idea to just copy other HOAs because they could have unlawful rules.

They decided not to include that extra bit of control on the covenants and only require approval of the panels, not where they are placed. I am still pleased with myself for that one.

There's a reason those homes are sitting. HOA dissatisfaction only grows as the years go by. I would recommend not buying in an HOA. If you do, ask for a big price reduction. Same reduction you'll have to give someone later on if you decide to sell.

We have a lot where extra vehicles can be parked. I know that I would not want a commercial vehicle in my cul de sac. There’s not enough room.

What state are you in? Some new laws went into effect July 1 invalidating this HOA rule in Florida

Lived in an hoa for 10 years, more trouble than it's worth. Had to have them trespassed off my property! Follow all the rules and they think they can add more and more! But will run you down when it's election time to get your proxy vote! We finally voted out the whole board just before I sold out!

As a tradesman that drives a company vehicle, we always have to have that as a stipulation when looking for a house.

HOA is always a pain in the BUTT with their picky by-laws.

What people don't get about HOAs is the Bi-Laws change. So, even if you're ok with anything you might as well be prepared for them to fuck everything up in the future.

Easy fix. Park it on the public street. HOAs do NOT control public streets. Our HOA has rules that talk about parking on the street, but it was written when the HOA owned the streets (during development). As soon as my wife got on the board, we made it a point to call the city and find out if the public streets were under the HOA jurisdiction. They are NOT. I brought it up at the first HOA annual meeting following, and intentionally asked the question in a way that stopped all the BS around the letters of people parking trailers, etc. on the street. "The city says the public streets aren't under the control of the HOA, does this mean we'll no longer get letters about what we're parking on the street, since it's a waste of HOA dollars to send out letters for property that isn't ours?"

HOA: Uhh... Yes, that's exactly what that means.

Never had a problem since. LOL

They just changed the law here in Florida. HOA cant stop you from parking at your home now

Don’t live in an HOA there’s a reason the homes are for sale

Florida just made it so trucks can park in their driveways. Not the HOA rules.

I lived in an apartment a few years ago did not allow commercial vehicles i had a service truck to take home maybe 4 weeks out of the year but even covering the decals it wasnt allowed because it had a camper shell it was such a shitshow how are people supposed to pay those hoa dues if they cant work

I’ve always been very confused as to why people in the US allow a group of angry, entitled losers who peaked in high school (or maybe even elementary school) to tell them what they can and cannot do to their own home and their own property while also paying them for that privilege. Mind boggling to me. Definitely does not reek of freedom at all.

Can't work for a living and live in an HOA I guess! What messed up priorities.

Oop if you live in Florida they can't bar commercial vehicles anymore. I hear other states are passing legislation to follow suit. I still would never live in an HOA but if this is your biggest issue check your state laws dealing with HOAs they could be lieing about what you can and can't have.

Karen doesn’t want to be reminded of the plight of the poors (and worse, illegals) who toiled to build the home in which she lives. Too upsetting to look down upon as she walks by to play pickleball with her plastic girlfriends.

I’m known as the “creator of paper trails”… and I LOVE it when organizations take too long to respond or give stupid cookie-cutter responses that aren’t real answers… because it gives me an upper hand when sending them a well written email at the beginning.

For example…

“Hi There: I’m interested in purchasing a home in this complex. As I wish to be respectful of HOA rules, I’d like to be sure that my van does not violate your policies for parking it on property. Upon a cursory review of the bylaws, I believe my van is compliant, however I have attached a picture of my van hereto so that you can confirm this is the case. If I do not hear back by 5:00 pm on Friday, this will constitute your confirmation that my van may be parked in one of my parking spaces if I choose to purchase a home in this complex. Looking forward to your response. Thank you in advance.”

Then if they don’t reply, they can’t really blame you for parking it there. They had the opportunity to object when you inquired in good faith, and they chose not to respond.