Orange County's law-breaking landscapers
An Orange County, California, couple face steep fines — and possibly jail time — for replacing a conventional grass lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping.
Going green isn’t always a straightforward task if you’re subject to aesthetic-driven codes enforced by homeowners associations and other entities. Just ask defiant homeowners who have paid the price — with fines, complaints, and nasty glances from disapproving neighbors — by installing solar panels or line-drying clothing.
| Previous Post Flash dance: 6 eco-friendly flashlights | Next Post Back to basics: Colgate's Octagon Soap |
Comments
While I totally understand why neighbors might feel that their lack of yard is a reflection on the neighborhood, I also think that it's pretty ridiculous that this couple is facing fines and jail time over something as silly as lawn care. I think that everyone should be able to keep their yard in a way that suits their taste and budget, especially here in Southern California where drought is such an issue.
I also sympathize. I might know more regulations in some other places like in Irvine, Los Angeles and Sta. Monica. Though I don't know all the laws and regulations in Orange County, I believe that the couple is trying to live simply. If there is any dispute or concerns to be raised, the important is that both parties should be in accordance to what is more beneficial and that claims and concerns might lead towards what is constructive.
I personally think that their lawn looks beautiful, and what they are doing is smart for where they are living. My guess is that they didn't even know they were breaking any laws when they decided to do a little different kind of lawn care. I don't know about all the laws in Orange county, but I would hope they see this couple as not trying to do any harm but a little good.
I sympathize. But the thing is some people want to live in an area where every landscape has a nice manicured look. And as a new homeowner in this kind of community, you are given notice when you buy the house as to what the rules and requirements are. If you don't agree, you shouldn't buy a house in that area - plain and simple. Or work on getting the rules changed.
But to just go out and break the rules and do whatever you want isn't acceptable, good intentions or not..... More
HOAs are so ubiquitous that it's often impossible to find a home without one. And that's really not fair to people who don't want to live under the rule of the lawn gestapo. If we have to have HOAs, they should at least be required to allow environmentally friendly alternatives to lawns, such as xeriscaping. When done right, Xeriscaping can also be very attractive - much more so than boring old grass.
The Ha's may be compliant with the law. If they have 3,000 sq ft of front yard 40% would be 1,200 feet. Predominately of the 1,200 sq ft would be 601 (over half of the 40%) If they measure the gree part of the plants I guessing they may meet the requirements know.
As some of you may have noticed, the
country and the horticultural community have been "going greener"
lately. Obviously we are all not in agreement about how to do it, but I hope that we will continue to progress in the right direction. Kudos to Brady for demonstrating what the right direction is!
I agree that "Rome wasn't built in a day", and that people have their own ideas about which thing to tackle first.
I live in a South Los Angeles community and our city.... More
They are hoping to have flowers bloom in time to show the judge. Earlier in the article it indicated they pulled the lawn out over a year ago, how long does it take flowers to grow? You can buy eco friendly plants and cover 40 percent of your yard, they just chose not to. I'm voting for cheap (and ugly), they had no intention of being good neighbors or following the law until they got caught.
I actually live in the City of Orange. I also removed all the lawn on my property around the same time as the Ha family. Given these similarities, I was very interested in this story and sympathetic to their situation. One detail in the telling of the story as it is told here is different in the original source stories I have read. The civic code says that 40% of the landscaped area must be planted with live plants - not as stated here "traditionally landscaped". Their property was bare.... More
Our State is broke, our Cities are broke we are in a never ending drought and they waste time, money and effort to stop what is right.
The local brownshirt gestapo's petty bureaucrats know what is good for you. Who do you think you are planting desert plants in your piece of the desert? The Orange Gestapo DEMANDS that you criminals plant thirsty grass and then watch it die.
IDIOTS! Who do you think you are?
My mom, living off modest retirement income, was cited by her village because they felt her house needed to be painted. She had to spend a ridiculous lot to get the house repainted or face some kind of zoning court.
I wonder why I even vote anymore - it seems like both parties want to restrict our rights, only they have different favorite ways they want to do this.
1) Don't buy a house that is part of a HOA ,or in a city run by morons.
2) Doing the right thing usually gets you in trouble.
PS - I like your landscaping, and think the City of Orange needs a new group of people running it.
As stupid as the rules are, I have no sympathy for people who violate a rule that they are fully aware of, then cry about it.
You knew there were rules when you bought the property, and you agreed to them. If you don't like them, fight to get them changed. It's not a life-or-death matter, and you can wait until the rest of the world sees the light and changes the rules. If you choose to instead break the rules to make a point, then you have to live with the consequences.
What alternatives are there, really? HOAs are everywhere and they all have rules that are too restrictive. I think they should be outlawed. The government can't get away with telling you what color to paint your house or whether to have a lawn, so why do we give the HOAs this much power?
Yet another brownshirt that believes that because some rule is written, it must be so. You don't agree to illegal, unlawful, discriminatory, etc. "rules". This "Anon" would have been perfectly content making the same ridiculous argument in support of racially discriminatory restrictive covenants. Get a grip, Anon. Majority rule is not the do-all, end-all nor is a "rule" legitimate just because it has been written. The change is already happening by daring to say "no". Why don't you try.... More
IC_DELIGHT,
Have you created any docs or petitions to support your stance on HOA's?
The argument isn't that people shouldn't stand up for the right thing (whatever they may believe it to be). It's that there are lawful channels to fight for change. Sometimes they don't work, and the rules simply need to be resisted. However, those who resist shouldn't be whining about it after the fact- because they chose their actions while fully aware of the consequences.
It's their property. They can do whatever they please with it. **** the government.
Sounds like Nazi Germany.
I have an admiration for people that see stupid, out-dated, or even unjust laws and go about with some civil disobedience to get things set right. Why bother to celebrate people like Rosa Parks if we simply trash people for doing something a lot less significant, but in the same vein?
There are instances in which civil disobedience is necessary and admirable. At the same time, you have to know how to choose your battles, and for whatever cause you do it, you have to deal with the consequences. By all means stand up for what you believe is just, but don't go around whining about it when you get slapped on the wrist.
Yhey have 2 adults and 1 child in their family yet they drive a Ford Expedition. At best it gets 13 - 19 mpg. I think they are just lazy and don't want to keep up their lawn.
Good job passing judgement on them you hypocrit. Look at all the energy you're wasting by using you computer typing up stuff no one cares about. For all you know, it could be a ford expedition hybrid. You're a dumb ****.
when people become more environmentally aware and active, they don't change all their habits at once. after replacing lightbulbs, they usually tackle one wasteful project at a time.
We don't try to conserve fossil fuels in America, only water. Excursions for everyone!
Ever think it might have been the reporter's vehicle?
Just a thought...
hey man... its an old car...
Thanks for brining this important issue to light. It would be so great to have CALI responsible for saving water instead of hanging on to old fashioned landscaping ideas.
BEST OF LUCK to this couple fighting their city's antiquated and draconian "law". We, sadly, are in a similar situation in burbs of Atlanta. Our local law requires a green lawn of "true grasses" that leaves little room for interpretation. Silliness.
This is where it gets ridiculous. You can't just buy property and have someone say, "Oh by the way, you have to follow our rules and laws when purchasing property".
Why words "Ownership" and "Property" that these so called "people" don't understand? If I own something, it's mine! Period!
I do not expect people to come to my property and start telling me what I can and cannot do with it. If I wanna drop my pants and crap my backyard, I will do it because it's my property and I will.... More
When I moved to Orange 25 years ago, I was attracted to the non-Irvine way in which you can use your property at-will. With so many escapees from HOAs moving to Orange and electing like-minded individuals, Orange has implemented many HOA-style ordinances which is really making me want to leave my turn-of-the century house. Did you know in most cases in Orange you can't park your motorhome on your own driveway? Or even install artificial turf? Not so long ago you could do either of these.... More
have these laws been tested? it really seems unconstituional to require a property owner to provide esthetic treatments to a property. After all no public health or safety risk is at issue. In affect the City is saying if you cannot afford the water bill get out of town. 6 month is jail , really imagine the cellmates conversation, "what are you in for? " rape ... robbery... car jacking.. who me... landscaping faux pas.
Enter your comments here Nobody in California should be growing lawns, they require about 65 inches of water per year. Gasoline and pesticides to maintain them that end up in our water shed, poisening fish and people! when will people get this?
It's strange the county/city has such an ordinance when the city of Las Vegas actually ENCOURAGES grassless lawns. They will even help pay to remove your lawn if you install non water using materials. Odd--both citys are in areas where water shortages are common. But anything for a buck these days w/the economy, I suppose. . And although I sympathize with the family, they did agree to the HOA provisions.
They covered their lawn in wood chips to save water? No wonder they are facing fines and jail time. It's one thing to truely xeriscape with an attractive product that requires little watering but this is an eyesore.
I think the wood ships are the heart of the problem. From what I understand, the wood chips are temporary, and are necessary for their 'yard' to start growing (fertilizer, essentially) wait a few months or a year, and the yard WILL be green, no wood chips in sight (from what I understand). In this case, it is just a matter of patience. If they can prove that the chips are temporary and the yard will have a green cover, then they probably won't be breaking the ordinance anyway. Everyone.... More
Do people even read their CC&Rs before they buy a place in one of these government wannabe HOAs?
We should buy you a jump to conclusions mat. You idiot.
No CC&R's you obviously didn't read the article fully. This is a city ordinance.
I hope this couple prevails in court next week! Please do post an update on MNN so we find out.
Gardens, not lawns!! Native habitat!! Yeah!
This just helps to show that the only entity with a right to property is the government. The government's original purpose was to protect us and to help maintain a decent standard of living. While residents of a city are to understand the laws under which they live, it's nuts to think there's official legislation regarding lawn care. I'm sure some laughs (and, unfortunately, fights and beatings) will be had when these folks cellmates ask what they're in for.
At the end of the day, it's all about money. Follow the money. Orange county would stand to lose a lot of revenue if more people actually bought into the whole conservation idea. Most of us have to do it behind closed doors like it's some dirty deed. The OC doesn't want to punish the wasters because those people, bless their hearts, bring in revenue. Follow the dollar.
The Has are just as much to blame for this mess as anyone else. No one forced them to join a HOA. And no one forced them to stay in one. If they didn't like the requirements, they should have moved somewhere else. But they shouldn't complain that they're being fined for breaking a rule they signed themselves up to keep.
If you noticed, it's not some sort of overarching home owner's association, but the government. A HOA can fine you and take your house, but they cant' send you to jail.
Nothing in the article states that this is a HOA dispute, its all about the city of Orange. The article likened it to a HOA issue but never said that it was one. Are there HOA's that can send people to jail?
Nothing in the article states that this is a HOA dispute, its all about the city of Orange. The article likened it to a HOA issue but never said that it was one. Are there HOA's that can send people to jail? I
HOAs are infamous for this sort of garbage. I think they should be limited by law to a specific list of significant issues. When I bought my property, the HOA was defunct. Some activists then revived it, years later, and now I'm waiting to be hit with all sorts of complaints. (I have a grassless xeric yard too, in Atlanta GA water district, which faces a severe water shortage.)
