That being said, even though most HOAs are fairly amenable to low water designs, there are HOAs out there which will try to refuse any design that does not include lawn or lush tropical plantings and it is actually against the law for them to do so.
Our local Surfrider chapter is in the process of putting together some easy guidelines for working with your HOA which will be available next month.
In the meantime, have an HOA that’s giving you some trouble about your low water plantings? Here’s your backup:
Under the Davis-Sterling Act, Civil Code §1353.8. Low Water-Using Plants. specifically states:
“…a provision of any of the governing documents of a common interest development shall be void and unenforceable if it … Prohibits, or includes conditions that have
the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group…”Have you had a bad or good experience with your HOA? Tell us about it in a comment!