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Bill would let agencies trump homeowners association rules

Posted by: Maven on March 14, 2009 at 7:27 am

From the North County Times:

Two of California’s most powerful forces —- water agencies and the property rights of homeowners associations —- may be on a collision course.

Southern California’s giant water wholesaler, Metropolitan Water District, is sponsoring state legislation to make ordinances from local water districts trump homeowners association rules. Introduced Feb. 27 by Assemblyman Ted Lieu, a Democrat from Torrance, the legislation is known as AB 1061. No date has been set for a committee hearing.

Metropolitan says the bill clarifies how homeowners can install water-efficient landscaping without running afoul of association rules. With California in a drought and rationing under way or looming in many districts, the agency is looking for any way to stretch out its supplies. But homeowners association representatives say the bill is unnecessary and a waste of time.

The bill concerns landscaping restrictions on so-called “common interest developments,” such as Shadowridge in Vista. These developments contain single-family homes governed by condo-like regulations. Nearly 25 percent of the state’s population live in such developments, Lieu said when introducing the bill.

There have been isolated instances of conflicts between homeowners eager to save water and associations that outlawed particular types of water-efficient landscaping.

Associations fear that if homeowners are allowed to violate such standards, the aesthetic appeal of their neighborhoods will decline, and property values with them.

Read more from the North County Times by clicking here.

March 14, 2009 · Filed Under Drought Tolerant Landscaping

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