Is homebrewing allowed in a community that has an HOA? We are thinking of moving into a 55+ community, I downloaded and scanned over the agreement but I cannot see anything that mentions homebrewing, beer, zymurgy, etc..
Homebrewing and HOA's
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I’m in an HOA community that is predominantly 55+ though not explicitly stated. There a small handful of younger families with kids out of several hundred homes. There’s nothing in our HOA forbidding home brewing, and if there was screw em, I’d do it anyway.
Just make sure there isn't anything in the paperwork that says you can't have an open flame, if you use propane. I live in a condo, and I had to switch to electric this year because of rules...
I’ve lived in a 55+ community for several years without absolutely no problems.
I use an electric induction burner instead of propane but I’m sure propane is fine in many places
I use an electric induction burner instead of propane but I’m sure propane is fine in many places
The only issue I can think of that might ruffle some feathers... and isn't that what causes most HOA confrontations; someone doesn't like what they see in your yard?... is if you set up your brewing equipment outside the garage. And if brewing IN the garage with the door open is a problem get a steam condenser for your boil kettle and close the door.
I agree with @wepeeler that there definitely are HOA communities that forbid an open flame. Find out before you consider. My community, about 98% houses and a few condos, has no such rule. In fact many of the homes (maybe all of them?), were built with a natural gas line plumbed to the back patio. So shortly after we moved in I bought nat gas fittings for my Weber grill and my Blichmann burner.
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It depends on the language stated in the HOA agreement. It could vary widely from one location to the other. If you're not sure, look at your contract.
FloppyKnockers
Well-Known Member
Just put the brewing stuff behind the meth lab that's behind the non-operational vehicle that's behind the political sign that's behind the overflowing trash containers that's behind the overgrown lawn. No one will ever see it.
You mean at the HOA president’s house?
My sister lives in one of those communities. Not sure if they have an open flame regulation or not. But the options for brewing at her place would be pretty limited regardless - kitchen, garage or back deck; and all of those have their non-HOA issues.
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FloppyKnockers
Well-Known Member
I used to live in an HOA, be on the board of an HOA, and even sit as president of an HOA. There's no hard and fast rule as all of them are different with different bylaws and insurance coverages. My best advise is to contact them either in person or by phone (e-mail is alright too, just less personal). This will cover two things - get the answer you are looking for here and allow you to get a feel for who you could potentially be dealing with. Complete Karens or some laid back people who also hate typical HOAs.
Maybe, but sometimes the “ Don’t ask; don’t tell” method works better. If that fails, it’s sometimes easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission. If there’s nothing in the rules against it, or any of the process, then you should be good. You have a case if you buy in and they change the rules on you. The difficulty is we like to “ show & tell”. It’s a tough call because buying in isn’t cheap, and getting out isn’t easy.
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You need to know your local fire codes. Where I am at, fire code does not allow open flames in multi family housing. As a results grills, etc are not permitted. There is no problem with a kettle with electric heating elements. I had an electrician in to wire two 120 v 20 amp circuits that I use to power the heating elements in my kettle. (I already had the kettle with two 120 v elements so I did not have a need for 220 v circuits.) I have no problem boiling a 6 gallon batch with this system and I am compliant with fire code and HOA rules.
OP
OP
I brew with an AIO, there isn't an open flame. My initial thought is to brew in a garage or out back. I guess my worries were more about complaints of the aroma or anything else that may upset the apple cart.
I think the only issue with HOA would be insurance related ie burning up the place with an open flame/propane/gas etc. I mean, can they really tell you you can't cook something because someone complains about the aroma? That's a slippery slope. Always best to check, but I would think you're ok with an electric AIO.
If they could, my SIL would have gotten kicked out of her condo the day after they moved in.
My thought is if you’re looking at a 55+ community you’re getting up there in age like many of us. I don’t know the details of your equipment, how many gallons you make at a time, etc. If you’re talking outdoors and a propane burner I have to guess its more than you can do or want to do on a stovetop though.
If you’re considering this kind of move it might be a good time to evaluate your situation and think about how much longer you might expect to be brewing outdoors handling a large kettle and propane and if thats really what you want to keep doing.
And also evaluate your consumption - do you have a large supply you’re not going through quickly or are you brewing to supply a large number of friends and the local VFW?
Smaller batches are all the rage these days. We have guys brewing 3 gallons or 2.5 gallons. There is a whole thread on here with hundreds of pages from people who brew 1 gallon batches.
Even if you want to keep brewing 5 gallon batches, electric systems and all in ones have come a long way. And you can brew indoors and not be banished to the garage or outdoors at the mercy of the weather.
When you move just make sure you have a 240v outlet somewhere you can use it.
If you’re considering this kind of move it might be a good time to evaluate your situation and think about how much longer you might expect to be brewing outdoors handling a large kettle and propane and if thats really what you want to keep doing.
And also evaluate your consumption - do you have a large supply you’re not going through quickly or are you brewing to supply a large number of friends and the local VFW?
Smaller batches are all the rage these days. We have guys brewing 3 gallons or 2.5 gallons. There is a whole thread on here with hundreds of pages from people who brew 1 gallon batches.
Even if you want to keep brewing 5 gallon batches, electric systems and all in ones have come a long way. And you can brew indoors and not be banished to the garage or outdoors at the mercy of the weather.
When you move just make sure you have a 240v outlet somewhere you can use it.
Is the chair of the HOA named Karen?
If so, there might be a problem
If so, there might be a problem
On top of innumerable brewing sessions, I once butchered a pig in the driveway of my HOA-condo. 
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You have to read the HOA rules through the eyes of Karen and see if there's anything that could be interpreted as breaking the rules. Then she still might bitch about it so make sure you are following all the other rules.
Fun fact, pink flamingos are against the rules in our neighborhood. 6' tall metal chickens not so much so Karen 2 is retaliating against Karen 1's complaints about Karen's lawn with several of those pieces of "artwork".
Fun fact, pink flamingos are against the rules in our neighborhood. 6' tall metal chickens not so much so Karen 2 is retaliating against Karen 1's complaints about Karen's lawn with several of those pieces of "artwork".
My rural neighborhood is technically a subdivision, but I think anyone who tried to start an HOA would soon be found in a landfill.
A subdivision backs up to my farm. I met the HOA president the other day because we had to move some trees Milton and Helene knocked over. Listening to his HOA stories made me want to jump back onto my property and kiss the ground.
I have reluctantly agreed to text him before long high-powered rifle sessions on my land, so he can placate the Northern transplants whose horses haven't been conditioned to noise, but I still shoot squirrels from my bedroom and foyer whenever a good shot presents itself. Is that allowed in most subdivisions? I would certainly hope so.
A subdivision backs up to my farm. I met the HOA president the other day because we had to move some trees Milton and Helene knocked over. Listening to his HOA stories made me want to jump back onto my property and kiss the ground.
I have reluctantly agreed to text him before long high-powered rifle sessions on my land, so he can placate the Northern transplants whose horses haven't been conditioned to noise, but I still shoot squirrels from my bedroom and foyer whenever a good shot presents itself. Is that allowed in most subdivisions? I would certainly hope so.
BrewnWKopperKat
ʘ‿ʘ
Meh.
HomeBrewTalk discussion is generally negative towards HOAs. That's fine. Just be aware that HomeBrewTalk may not be useful in this area.
Outside of HomeBrewTalk, one can find discussion on gracefully dealing with the stereo-typical "Karen" in situations that may not "color inside the lines (as "Karen" sees them)" of HOA "architecture guideliines". Plan accordingly.
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madscientist451
Well-Known Member
Yeah homebrewing is likely OK, but your bass boat with a MAGA bumper sticker on the trailer or flying the stars and stipes will probably get you a violation. My 2 cents: don't buy into a HOA community.
What you do in the privacy of your own home is none of their business.
madscientist451
Well-Known Member
I brew outdoors with my 110V kettle with no problems. However I usually do 3 gallon batches, but I can go larger.
If they find the body soon, you didn't do it right.
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I don't know about everywhere but the real issue is probably for-profit management companies, not a true association of homeowners run by homeowners. I'm sure some of those can get catty but the companies profit off finding every little violation.
BrewnWKopperKat
ʘ‿ʘ
squirrels were mentioned back in #21:
This was the problem my HOA faced. I learned it early on and rose to president to control the wasteful spending which was always generated through projects and contractors recommended by the management company.
In our case, besides the obvious kickbacks from large projects, they also nickel and dimed us with $25 fees for each delinquency letter they generated - automatically- 10 days after a late payment. I put a stop to that process, limiting delinquency letters to one every 3 months per household, effectively eliminating them except for the worst offenders. It saved us literally thousands per year. The whole thing was a scam.
If I ever end up in an HOA ever again, I will thoroughly read every line of every document pertaining to its operation and speak to as many current homeowners as possible. But, mostly likely, I will never live in one again.
Horrible creatures. At least they're tasty.
They make me wish foxes could fly.
It's like a school of fish hiring lamprey.
I don't care about living in a cutesy neighborhood where everyone keeps the grass half an inch high and never opens their garage doors for more than 20 seconds. Freedom is precious.
I have a neighbor who never does any kind of yard work. I used to think the house was abandoned. Good for him!
We have a few deed restrictions, but that's about it. No lots under 10 acres, for example. I like that one.
My neighborhood has covenants that I had to sign when we bought the place. The development is 50 years old, and many of the covenants are outdated. Besides, nobody cares what they say, we do our own thing and mind our own business. My next door neighbor had an old 50’s model truck in his driveway for 20 years before I asked him about it one day. He said it was his dad’s old truck and he had restored it way back. He was driving it and the tie rod gave way and the truck did a hard right into the ditch and rolled over with him. After all the work he had previously done, he just didn’t have the heart to start over, nor to part with it. It sat there another 10 years after that conversation until he died. The covenants say no untagged vehicles on the property.
I didn’t fuss about his truck; he didn’t fuss about my chickens!
I didn’t fuss about his truck; he didn’t fuss about my chickens!
Two things are most important when dealing with covenants/HOAs:
Brew on
- Read them carefully to make sure there are no restrictions that you find objectionable or excessively limiting,
- Make sure that the HOA board cannot change them without a super-majority vote of all of the homeowners. This protects you from mini-Napoleons/Karens who are power mad.
Brew on
Since we have no HOA, enforcing a restriction would take some effort.
I'm lucky, I guess. We built our house in 1997 on a 14,000 sq ft lot in a second-ring suburb. We're on a cul-de-sac. Lots of room between us and the neighbors. No HOA, which were not common here at the time, but that soon changed. Most houses built here in the last 15-20 years have HOAs and are on much smaller lots. In some neighborhoods the houses are all the same color, they have the same kind of trees in the same locations in each yard, and are so close together you could open a window and hand a beer to your neighbor.
Obviously, I'm not a fan of HOAs, though many people prefer them. As long as my neighbors don't create some hazard, I don't give a shiat what they do with their place. The city and state have certain codes and that's all we need. I don't want some private covenant telling me things like keeping my garage door shut or what kinds of shrubs to plant.
Obviously, I'm not a fan of HOAs, though many people prefer them. As long as my neighbors don't create some hazard, I don't give a shiat what they do with their place. The city and state have certain codes and that's all we need. I don't want some private covenant telling me things like keeping my garage door shut or what kinds of shrubs to plant.
I recall watching someone get pilloried in the press because the deed to his house had an ancient restriction saying it couldn't be sold to Jews. At the time, my dad told me the whole thing was unfair, because America was full of homes with deeds that contained old restrictions that couldn't be enforced. People ignore them instead of taking the trouble to get them terminated. Deeds can surprise people.
My own deeds have vague language that says homeowners can't do anything the neighbors don't like. Good luck enforcing that one.
My deeds say I can't raise hogs here. I guess whoever created the restriction mistook Florida for a major hog state.
My own deeds have vague language that says homeowners can't do anything the neighbors don't like. Good luck enforcing that one.
My deeds say I can't raise hogs here. I guess whoever created the restriction mistook Florida for a major hog state.
When I look for a home, "no HOA" is a non-negotiable requirement.
One really nice thing about living here is that I can cut trees whenever I feel like it. I'm like Bill Murray in Caddyshack. I don't even need a reason.
Five-hundred-year-old oak right where I want a pole barn? Down it goes. So sorry, Karens of Earth.
Five-hundred-year-old oak right where I want a pole barn? Down it goes. So sorry, Karens of Earth.
My house is in a neighborhood with an HOA, but no one seems to care. Better still, I am in the older spot in the neighborhood that isn't under the HOA rules anyway. No one messes with our cul de sac - we are exempt and grandfathered. I would probably have chickens but my dogs wouldn't go for it.
I have dogs and chickens. The dogs stay mostly on a long cable run except for their daily walk on a leash around the neighborhood. The chickens are fenced in. I’ve been keeping chickens 13 years, and my older dog is 16 years old. When we first got chickens, we left her off the run most of the day. I used no-climb fencing for the chickens so they could “weed-eat” both sides of the fence. I put my then young dog’s nose through the fence and the hens immediately came up and pecked her nose. I stuck it back in and they did it again. I thought it would teach my dog that the hens had the means to protect themselves, so don’t mess with them. My dog thought I was teaching her a new game: she would stick her nose through the fence, and when a hen ran over to peck it, she would jerk her nose back out. It was kinda like Lucy and Charlie Brown with kicking the football.
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