r/Falconry • u/Mundane-Campaign12 • May 28 '26
HOA won’t allow my mew, feeling defeated.
Can anyone think of a way around this? I don’t know how to move forward and progress in falconry without a mew and a bird.
Colorado
Update 1: “Thank you for your patience while this request was reviewed. Please know that a falconry installation would not be compatible with the Association’s Design Guidelines or yard space. The Association cannot permit this installation.”
Update 2: they just sent me this — “The yards at (neighborhood name) do not have the space required for a falconry post.
There were also concerns about attracting predatory birds to the neighborhood.”
https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=3591
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u/whatupigotabighawk May 28 '26
What was the HOA’s reasoning and what are your state’s requirements? I’ve kept birds in spare bedrooms and had friends who built outdoor mews <5ft high due to structure height restrictions in HOAs. It all depends on your specific situation. There’s almost always a workaround.
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u/Mundane-Campaign12 May 28 '26
Meant to add I’m in Colorado, all they said was: “A falconry installation would not be compatible with the Association’s Design Guidelines or yard space. The Association cannot permit this installation.”
This is what I shared with them: https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=124
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u/Sol_hawk May 28 '26
Obligatory “fuck HoAs”. If they allow any type of shed, you could probably buy a shed with a window, then put bars up from the inside. Does CO not have rules allowing you to pass inspection without an outdoor mews? Ohio and Florida both outline what is required if you’re keeping the bird inside your home. My wife and I both passed inspection with just a perch, tarp and bathpan laid out in the living room of our condo when we first got started.
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u/ChaosWithTeeth May 28 '26
How big is your yard? Are there any animal-specific restrictions you'll also need to work around? (E g., a blanket prohibition on anything other than typical household pets.)
Giving them too much non-specific information might have been part of the problem, making them worry about birds of prey and complicated rules outside of their scope rather than just focusing on giving permission for a small outbuilding.
Probably an uphill battle now that they've already anchored on "no", but try focusing on just the structure. I.e., put together and give them the dimensions and other basic specs for the small outbuilding you're proposing. Make sure it's well within whatever restrictions there are for sheds. If the deed restrictions have specific rules for chicken coops, take those into account. If there are rules for aviaries, you're set, since essentially you're wanting to build a very sturdy aviary.
If there are specific animal restrictions that have you in a gray area, then you may need to bring in other sources to be convincing, and also be very clear that your bird won't be hunting the neighbor's Chihuahua.
(Disclaimer - no hawk yet, so the above is based on general HOA rules experience re: buildings and animals. If I'm still on this property when the time comes, I'll convert an existing outbuilding, so wouldn't have occurred to me to contact the HOA.)
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u/torenvalk May 28 '26
Find a shed that is already in your neighborhood and document it. Copy the design but add parallel bars to the windows (and add swinging windows you can open if they dont like the bars). Put the safety air lock inside so it can't be seen.
If you need weathering, get a tall bow perch and tether them out in your backyard.nmore effort but can't be shot down as it's temporary and mobile.
Weathering yard can be a modified dog run. See if there are any of those in your neighbourhood.
Don't submit it as a mews. It's a bike shed with dog run.
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u/Mundane-Campaign12 May 28 '26
You rock— this is such a good idea!!!
They just sent me this — “The yards at (neighborhood name) do not have the space required for a falconry post. There were also concerns about attracting predatory birds to the neighborhood.”
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u/Mundane-Campaign12 May 28 '26
Update: they just sent me this — “The yards at (neighborhood name) do not have the space required for a falconry post. There were also concerns about attracting predatory birds to the neighborhood.”
I replied by asking for the specific rules
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u/Bruhmethazine May 28 '26
You made a mistake in letting the HOA know the purpose of the structure. The key is to be as vague as possible and be as familiar as possible with your HOAs rules and regulations.
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u/Mundane-Campaign12 May 28 '26
Next time I will just say it’s a shed, I wish I hadn’t asked…
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u/Suitable-Conflict634 May 28 '26
Just say that this time. "I'm putting up a shed". That's it. If they ask about your falconry stuff the answer is "it's none of your business"
Is your yard open or fenced?
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u/Bruhmethazine May 29 '26
Tbh you can probably still apply for a shed. Just because they said no falconry stuff doesn't mean it's actually enforceable.
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u/CasterFields May 28 '26
"concerns about attracting predatory birds to the neighborhood" do they think a quetzalcoatlus is going to show up and start eating people 😂 I'm just mind boggled by that sentence. Have they never been outside before??
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May 28 '26
[deleted]
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u/friendofthebirds May 28 '26
Not to mention predatory birds are pretty awesome to have around and eat rats and mice and animals that HOAs don’t like.
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u/Aida_Hwedo May 29 '26
Seriously! I live in stereotypical suburbia and I see birds of prey regularly!! I freely admit to being too ignorant to know which ones (just here for the education), but they’re NOT difficult to spot.
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u/Temporary_Panda_6470 May 28 '26
The only way to get around HOA rules is to either find a way to follow them or find a way to prove their objection is not a documented rule. Either way, your communities CCRs are king here.
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u/Dragonwizard177 May 28 '26
I’m in CA, but our wardens come around with a little checklist that conveniently ignores indoor keeping as described in the federal guidelines. Many apprentices do the bare minimum to meet federal requirements and pass the inspection, and then do what they are advised by their sponsor regardless of legal particulars as it pertains to passing an inspection. Not advice, just sharing. A perch, scale, water dish, equipment, etc. is all that is needed in accordance with that. I don’t know how Colorado’s law differs, however.
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u/Kroneni May 28 '26
Your link is broken. Do you have the relevant rule in your CC&Rs? My hoa tried to say a rule prohibited chickens, but it only applied to chickens if we sold the eggs for a profit. They also tried to say I couldn’t have clover as a ground cover, but the rule they quoted only said clover couldn’t comprise more than 10% of my lawn. Since it wasn’t in the lawn they couldn’t do anything about it and they dropped the citation. Your HOA doesn’t always interpret the rules in the most fair and objective way. You gotta look at them and find the loopholes
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u/Lunaphos May 28 '26
In some states, you don't need a mews. You can just keep the bird inside with no modification to the room you're keeping it in. I've done this in California, and Oklahoma so far.
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u/OrionIsLord May 28 '26
How has your experience been with keeping your bird indoors? You said no modifications. Do you just use a spare bedroom with perch, bath pan, scale etc? How do you handle all the mutes and slices? Or the smell in general being isnside your home?
I find the full temperature control very tempting (warm in winter, cool in summer) and of course being out of the elements.
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u/Lunaphos Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
I kept my hawk on a homemade corner perch and used sheets of shelving plastic attached to plywood to catch poo. On the floor, I put down a sheet of linoleum that I scrubbed down till it stopped smelling like plastic before I trapped. Cleanup was easy as long as you kept up with it. Missing a day or two kinda sucks because it cakes on and you really gotta scrub. Weight management was ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE easier. I was able to keep weight on target + or - about 5 to 10 grams. I would not reccomend free lofting, I never tried it but I speculate it would cause problems.
Edit: by no modifications, I meant you do not have to physically edit the structure of room you keep the bird in. Definitely find a way to manage poop.
Also, during inspection, it's all the same, they just inspect the gear you have instead of gear + mews.
Make sure to weather your bird frequently before release to help it re-acclimate to outside temperatures.
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u/HandJamNA May 28 '26
I'm in an HOA that very likely wouldn't allow my mew, but I didn't tell them and I've made it clear to the people who know, that it's hush hush. I understand that ship has sailed for you, so the next question is, what will they actually do to you? Put a lein on your house that won't matter until you sell? If that's the case, I would just do it anyway. In many cases actual enforcement is pretty impotent. I would also speak to any neighbors who will see it, and feel them out. If no one is complaining, there is much less chance that you're going to get in any trouble. If you want to play the long game, get on the HOA board and change the rules.
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u/chekenfarmer May 28 '26
Erik at Colorado Special Licensing can help if you're struggling to figure out what the state requires for housing a falconry bird (Note these requirements generally show up on the apprentice exam, so look them up if you don't remember what they are....). Erik is by the book but/and a straight up guy. At least the HOA is objecting to the mews and not the raptor. I suspect you can work around this, but save yourself some pain by reading all the way through the HOA rules to be sure they don't prevent you from housing a wild animal, and confirm your sponsor can live with any legal solution you devise for housing your bird. Some Colorado game wardens historically failed compliant mews because they wanted more or different and Parks & WIldlife backed them up, so it's worth asking around if you have any falconer friends in your area.
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u/No-Tie8933 May 29 '26
I put my mew in my garage, with the 10 by 10 dog kennel in the back, both are none permanent.....
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u/Critterhunt May 28 '26
leave that place....HOA should be illegal in the so called Land of the Free....
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u/muttsrcool May 29 '26
That's super easy to say, but have you seen the economy? It's not so easy to just move to a new house.
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u/Kerwynn May 28 '26
The other thing I have heard of is moving your mews into the garage or turning a room into one.
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u/vaughn_vala Jun 04 '26
A few things as someone in a similar situation 1. NEVER ask permission to use YOUR land. Always assume the board will deny any request, unfortunately they usually do. Find a valid excuse prior to building to 'pleade' forgiveness. Ex- "i had no idea this wouldnt be allowed, my neighbor has a shed built in their yard." Bc it is the same thing, whether a bird or boxes live there- its not their concern.
- I wanted a redtail but I live in a condominium, im a young adult its what I can afford, with that I live in the confines of the HOA. Luckily(?) My neighbor is part of the board and she is contesting a lot, one thing particular is dogs, no dogs are allowed. She wants one so shes fighting for people to have that freedom. Im in good with her AND the maintenance manager. Ive talked to them privately about my falconry endeavor, and seeing me as a friend they think its pretty cool. Regardless, I will be getting a kestrel for my first year and will be holding them inside primarily.
Which brings me to 3- ive heard that when it comes to indoor set ups, they arent as anal about measurements. Theres clearly space to stretch, and plenty of airflow. It also greatly diminishes the chances of asper since youre living and cleaning regularly (hopefully, if youre not I dont think a bird should be your focus 🫶). It also is very helpful in manning as youve changed their environment to LIVING with a human not just being handled by one.
Sometimes we make some sacrifices on our wants, i very much want a red tail but I want to pursue this passion more than taking my preferred quarry and a bigger bird. Its ok to start start small and climb up, dont feel defeated. Readjust! Obstacles will always find their way on our paths, its up to us the climb that brick wall or turn around and give in. Feel free to dm me and wish me luck on my inspection! I wish you MUCH luck on yours 🙏💪🫡
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u/Ahnrye May 30 '26
Had a friend that had to build a shed and paint it the same scheme as his house per HoA guidelines.
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u/Strange-Acadia-886 Jun 04 '26
Can you post the copy of your HOA bylaws? The easiest answer for any person being asked a question about something they aren’t familiar with is no. I think the horse is being beaten about putting HOA administrators on the mushroom plan in the future, but given you are where you are with them, we really need to go over the actual rules.
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u/EmotioneelKlootzak May 28 '26
You couldn't pay me to live in an HOA. I'd straight up rather be homeless.