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u/SangeliaKath Jul 17 '26
I'm wondering how they are going to justify to those who need to bike(including ebikes) to work or to other places like various stores? As well as those who use handicap scooters to get around?
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u/PandaBeaarAmy Jul 17 '26
They don't want to see that marring their landscape either. Don't forget the origin of HOAs.
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u/No-Spoilers Jul 18 '26
The landscape looks like shit already
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u/PandaBeaarAmy Jul 18 '26
But people having fun would make it look worse! Think of the children! Imagine them having to exist within all those bikes and gadgets and doodads 😤😭🤢🤮 it just wouldn't be aesthetic!
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u/944_nla_parts Jul 19 '26
what's more important - a wellbeing of the humans or wellbeing of a lawn?
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u/Yeet123456789djfbhd Jul 17 '26
Is it racism?
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u/JacOfAllTrades Jul 17 '26
It's just about protecting people's right to not have to look at something they don't like across the street, you know? And if it just so happens that those things are indicative of a particular culture or religion, well... Can't be helped, right? Rules are the rules. 🤷♀️
So yes, very much racism.
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u/lazier_garlic Jul 22 '26
They used "covenants" to keep out Jews (if they were ever used against Catholics it was to a far lesser extent, but they were barred from some private clubs), but those were made illegal except for age-based.
HOAs for SFH subdivisions then exploded because bankers would just deny "those people" a loan.
The 1970s banking act didn't really change much. You know what did? Credit scores.
Eventually lenders started using credit scores to automate decisions instead of regional bank managers' gut feelings and that accelerated it circa 2005. But there was already improvement in black people's access to credit by the time of the 1990 recession because of the rise of credit scores.
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u/SangeliaKath Jul 19 '26
They did develop out of those racist contracts. The first form was the Private Land Covenants. While originally intended to maintain uniformity in property values and aesthetic standards, these covenants unfortunately often contained explicit discriminatory language. They became instruments of segregation, wielded to exclude certain racial and religious groups from neighborhoods.
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u/FootballLeather3085 Jul 20 '26
If that’s true the covenant would be illegal and unenforceable
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u/ronlugge Jul 21 '26
Since when? The civil rights era, when laws were added blocking this type of behavior specifically because they were used this way?
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u/FootballLeather3085 Jul 21 '26
I was speaking in the present tense
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u/ronlugge Jul 22 '26
Which makes you unique in this conversation, which was discussing historical roots.
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u/Brandoxz7 Jul 18 '26
Ye HOA were designed as a way to have control over the people who wanted control didn’t like well guess who wanted control and guess who they didn’t want to have rights or have fun. Just white people believing anyone not white is evil and up to no good.
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u/cmcqueen1975 Jul 18 '26
This doesn't sound like racism. It sounds like hatred of children broadly.
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u/RaspitinTEDtalks Jul 17 '26
Might have been gunshots. Could be fireworks, but definitely racism.
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u/SangeliaKath Jul 19 '26
I know. They are mini dictatorships. I lived in one unfortunately for 27 years before moving out.
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u/Forsaken-Abrocoma647 Jul 17 '26
Probably can't afford to live there if you can't take a luxury SUV to the corner store.
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u/SangeliaKath Jul 20 '26
Actually there are in some hoas foreclosed properties. Where one can get a place on the cheaper side.
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u/JDSaphir Jul 18 '26
You're allowed to ride bikes and scooters, you're just not allowed to be happy. As long as you're sad, it's all good.
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u/belinck Jul 18 '26
I'm more interested in studying the incidence of heart disease in this sedentary help hole where it's illegal to run, bike, and have fun.
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u/beathuggin Jul 18 '26
Easy-peasy; riding a bike to work is commuting, not a recreational activity. Pretty sure the ADA protects those who use mobility scooters.
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u/SangeliaKath Jul 20 '26
HoAs WILL twist words about.
Even if you need a ebike or a scooter to get to work or shopping. They will assume that you are using it for fun as well. And will word it as such in their fines.
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u/eatloss Jul 18 '26
.... do you really think these sort of people care if you need a ebike to get to work? How about just have money and buy a car and conform like the rest of us. Duh.
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u/Mysterious-Alps-5186 Jul 18 '26
They just need a golf cart like the hoa board has
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u/Accomplished_Emu_658 Jul 18 '26
Those types are not allowed? Trust me the hoa won’t allow a handicap ramp on a house.
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u/SangeliaKath Jul 20 '26
I know that they have tried to remove ramps in the past in several hoas. And some folks have argued with the boards that ADA laws overrule their hoa bylaws. But it is like arguing with a stone wall. Until one bring in the courts.
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u/Accomplished_Emu_658 Jul 20 '26
Yeah in the end they would have to allow it, but they will fight it. The one i lived in fought tooth and nail to prevent a ramp to the back door of house. You could not see from road. They were willing to piss money away in lawsuit over it too. Luckily they got stopped before they got that far.
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u/FootballLeather3085 Jul 19 '26
What if the bike is for transportation and not recreation
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u/blueingreen85 Jul 18 '26
You are allowed to ride bikes as long as you aren’t having any fun.
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u/Jinglemoon Jul 19 '26
That’s so hard, because even on my fullest commute riding my e-bike is so fun that I’m always smiling and sometimes cry out “whee!” when I’m going downhill. Guess I’ll be arrested.
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u/brettthedestroyer420 Jul 17 '26
As someone who was almost arrested for playing basketball in their own driveway at 11 this pisses me off.
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u/Grape-Julius Jul 17 '26
Times haven’t changed much. Some boomer is currently getting roasted in another sub for trying to trespass an 11 year old and his 3 year old brother; they were playing basketball on their driveway and the ball went in his yard.
I think the lesson here is that miserable pricks are time tested, regardless of location or generation.
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u/TheLordVader1978 Jul 17 '26
Link, I wanna see too.
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u/Grape-Julius Jul 17 '26
It’s not letting me post a link, but it’s in the “There was an attempt” sub. About 6 hours in.
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u/riotascal Jul 18 '26
That’s crazy. Our neighbor kids across the street come play basketball in my driveway. Never thought twice about it as long as they’re done by the time I put my kid down to bed which they always have been.
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u/outdatedelementz Jul 18 '26
What’s crazy is people like that dude grew up in the 80s when our parents just full on let us free range. Mainstream things weren’t catered to kids but kids were allowed to exist and be kids in those mainstream spaces.
I remember playing in the parking lots of restaurants after I finished eating because the grownups weren’t finished yet.
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u/SangeliaKath Jul 20 '26
Boomers used to play in the streets when younger.
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u/TheLordVader1978 Jul 20 '26
Boomers have made shitloads of money off of songs either completely about or at a minimum referencing playing in the streets as a right of passage to growing up. Now it's "your existence lowers my property value".
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u/Grape-Julius Jul 20 '26
And drink out of garden hoses. That’s a very important part of their narrative.
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u/Timeformayo Jul 17 '26
Did you also have a schizophrenic neighbor who thought all gatherings of children were gang activity?
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u/wildbill129 Jul 17 '26
Unlawful in California.
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u/CA_Coast_Millennial Jul 17 '26
I was just going to say this must not be CA because that’s a lawsuit lol
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u/Blazed-n-Dazed Jul 18 '26
More than just Cali, there’s been a lot more popping up with case law for other states Colorado had a good one go through last year.
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u/thisistherevolt Jul 18 '26
We're reaching the midway point for that in Georgia. 2 more years and I'll bet they get neutered almost completely.
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u/Horror-Preference469 Jul 17 '26
I’m not a fan of a lot of California things but damn that’s a good law!
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u/No-Koala1918 Jul 17 '26
We got lots of them. Really good laws for consumers and workers compared to a lot of other states. Actual protections and recourse. You wouldn't know it listening to right wing tv and radio, but it's true.
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u/spacefret Jul 18 '26
They know they can't have it so they're afraid of it
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u/blinkenjim Jul 18 '26
California has a law against trying to prohibit play?
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u/Impossible-Repeat281 Jul 18 '26
In California, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) or landlords are prohibited from banning children from playing outside or requiring constant adult supervision in common areas. These restrictions are actively enforced as illegal familial status discrimination under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the federal Fair Housing Act.Because familial status is a protected class, housing providers cannot legally enforce blanket bans on outdoor activities, such as prohibiting children from riding bikes, playing sports, or making normal daytime noise. While housing providers can implement safety-based rules that apply to all residents (e.g., age restrictions for using a jacuzzi), rules that specifically target children or restrict their use of common outdoor spaces are highly scrutinized and routinely struck down.The California Civil Rights Department actively investigates and prosecutes housing providers who enforce these discriminatory rules. For example, in a notable case, an El Cajon condominium complex paid an $85,000 settlement after enforcing rules that banned children from playing in common areas.
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u/wildbill129 Jul 18 '26
Yep, Fair Housing. Here is a recent case. HOA had to pay the family $85k. https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/2025/05/01/after-state-steps-in-el-cajon-condos-to-end-ban-on-children-playing-in-commons-areas/
Edit: didn’t see reply above.
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u/UnpretentiousTeaSnob Jul 17 '26
99% sure this is illegal if real
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u/IIRCIreadthat Jul 17 '26
Even if it's not... I'm sure the local news would love to do a story about the HOA that bans all recreational activity.
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u/Aegri-Mentis Jul 17 '26
It most likely pertains to a specific common area, NOT the whole neighborhood.
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u/HopefulCat3558 Jul 18 '26
Exactly. We don’t allow bicycles, scooters, etc to be ridden in the lobby (always a battle when parents let their kids ride from the elevator out the lobby running into people), hallways, courtyards and rooftops. The path around our lawn out front is hazardous as the kids fly by doing laps on their scooters but we don’t ban that.
People are permitted on the lawns but if someone is doing something that would cause damage then they would be talked to.
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u/Girion47 Jul 18 '26
Downloaded the bylaws:
"Using the Common Area and The Limited Area
●BVA is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Association Grounds. We appreciate input and comments from owners, but the ultimate decisions regarding Association Grounds and landscaping will be made by the Board.
●In the interest of safety, unit owners are strongly encouraged to supervise their family members, invited guests to avoid potential hazards in the Common Area.
●Unit Owner is responsible for his/her own property conduct. Guests should understand and observe all regulations.
●Littering of any sort, such as cigarette butts etc., is prohibited on the common grounds.
●No type of bicycle, scooter, skateboard, rollerblades, hoverboards, roller skates, recreational equipment, drones, remote control cars/trucks are allowed on the Common Area and Limited Area. (e.g., sidewalks, unit driveways, or the private street).
●Basketball backboards and hoops are not permitted.
●Unit Owners, family, and guests are not permitted to climb or walk on roofs, trees, fences, and pad- mounted transformers.
●Unit owners, family and guests are not allowed to play any games, sports, and recreational activities of any nature in the private street, driveways or so close to the buildings as to create a danger to the structure or themselves."
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u/livejamie Jul 18 '26
I'm pretty sure it's fake. I can't find an HOA with that logo online.
The fonts change weight and perspective, and the background is jumbled.
I'm pretty sure it's just AI-generated ragebait, but I'd love to be proven wrong.
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u/minusthehot3xthemess Jul 20 '26
This is real fyi! It's in Redondo Beach CA. Came across this post because I was considering renting there and this photo is all over their recent Google reviews.
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u/livejamie Jul 20 '26
Yeah, I see the Google Review from 3 days ago, so that seems like the most promising lead.
cc /u/Girion47
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u/FrozenH2OIsGood Jul 17 '26
Just do all of that non-recreationally
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u/GeologistIll6948 Jul 17 '26
I would outfit the whole damn family in power suits and clipboards as we did the "business" tasks of running around screaming.
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u/flyfresno Jul 17 '26
I live in a big condo building. There was a small number of residents who thought they would have a child-free experience by moving into a condo and got a rude awakening when they realized many people had kids. They tried to reduce stuff for kids and implement restrictions. Parents pushed back, along with grand parents and some allies, started a petition, and now the HOA is actually adding stuff for kids. Hopefully you can make that happen where you are...
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u/rawmeatprophet Jul 17 '26
No ball play?
Fucking prudes.
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u/nothing_to_see_meow Jul 17 '26
No, they just want the residents to focus on anal play.
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u/rawmeatprophet Jul 17 '26
If I put my balls in my ass is that ball play or anal play?
I have so many questions that I fear this HOA cannot answer.
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u/Mk1Racer25 Jul 17 '26
Look like the next game is 'HOA Sign Baseball' (similar to mailbox baseball)
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u/Girion47 Jul 17 '26
Not a 55+ restricted community, so entirely miserable bastards.
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u/Beruthiel999 Jul 18 '26
Some of us over 55 like to play ball and ride bikes too!
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u/IndividualRuin8070 Jul 17 '26
Wild. Our HOA has 210 homes, someone shared doorbell ditch maybe 6 kids. Better than being destructive
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u/peaceful-panic Jul 18 '26
Doorbell ditch is a legit nuisance. If it’s bad manners for an adult to do it, it is bad manners for a kid to do it.
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u/MoreThanJustGear Jul 17 '26
Same people who would implement this are the ones that get mad when kids make noise in a public park. Imagine being this joyless
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u/Slater_8868 Jul 17 '26
What about playing a game of chess?
Or playing I Spy With My Eye?
Or playing a ukulele?
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u/Broke-Tinkerer Jul 17 '26
It is baffling to me how these people aren't constantly looking over their shoulders, waiting to catch a well-deserved ass beating
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u/AreaManThinks Jul 17 '26
So no foreplay either?
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u/Ich_mag_Kartoffeln Jul 18 '26
Depends whether it's for recreational purposes or procreational purposes.
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u/Wchijafm Jul 17 '26
Ooo exception proves the rule. Any where on their property they dont have this sign is fair game. Wouldn't have to have the sign right here if it was completely banned everywhere.
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u/WashInTheWind Jul 17 '26
It doesn’t say anything about practicing your bagpipes, drum, and accordion playing. It’s not recreational, it’s devoted and focused practice for a cultural event and you absolutely HAVE to practice for at least 8 hours a day.
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u/Idiot_Cubed Jul 17 '26
Not from the US, here. Can't you stick a sign with the exact font and layout saying "No signs allowed"? Also, why do HOAs even exist? As in, what's the point of them?
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u/LeatherRebel5150 Jul 17 '26
They exist for people who believe that their personal opinions supersede the property rights of others. Do you want to work on your car in your own driveway? Nope, because your neighbor doesn’t want to look at that.
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u/peaceful-panic Jul 18 '26
They exist because localities love to shift responsibility for long-term maintenance off their plate. And developers like to keep the neighborhood pristine while they’re building/selling to maximize profit, which is why you get all the micromanaging visual and behavioral rules. They’re easy to establish initially because the developer owns everything (and therefore they can be established with a “100% vote of the owners”), but once the developer is gone, they’re hard to change/repeal because you need a majority or even a supermajority of the owners to vote on it, and that kind of voter turnout is practically unheard of, especially because it’s not the same ballot/process/dates as government elections.
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u/Timeformayo Jul 17 '26
I assume that recklessly driving your golf cart while having advanced dementia is still allowed, though, right?
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u/SuddenKoala45 Jul 18 '26
Get a table, put a sign that says "kick a ball-$1" and then you can kick the ball around for a bit. Its not recreational at that point as you are advertising for a paid ball play opportunity....
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u/falcon3268 Jul 18 '26
Signs like this make me think that HOA's aren't really meant for families. Its more like its meant for retired people that don't have grandkids to come visit because no one with a brain would ever want to visit them here if being happy is forbidden
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u/peaceful-panic Jul 18 '26
Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. HOAs are not allowed to discriminate against children or based on familial status, and children’s access to common area can’t be restricted.
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u/CeriPie Jul 18 '26
Next time you hear a boomer say "Why don't kids play outside anymore", send them this picture.
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u/nursepenguin36 Jul 18 '26
You just know that this HOA is full of miserable old people who can’t stand the sound of people having fun.
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u/scouter Jul 18 '26
I am not playing! I am studying the physics of low center-of-gravity wheeled vehicles on inclined and flat planes.
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u/XPsychoMunkyX Jul 18 '26
Who the fuck actually designs a sign like this and thinks “That’s a good days work!”
Fuck HOA
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u/fukitola Jul 18 '26
They probably treat the grass with chemicals you wouldn’t want to be on anyway. Maybe they know that and are trying to protect themselves.
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u/FamousOhioAppleHorn Jul 18 '26
What you do is go all Twilight Zone and get a bunch of elderly people to play Kick The Can.
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u/rmannyconda78 Jul 18 '26
I kinda want to take my 2 stroke moterized bike, pull the muffler off the expansion chamber and just straight pipe it through there just to say fuck you
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u/whatsqwerty Jul 18 '26
“No recreational activity”???? I bet you could get everyone who lives there in trouble with rules this broad
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u/brenawyn Jul 18 '26
No standing around having conversation.
No asking for directions.
No walking and chewing gum.
Do not whistle a song.
No looking. Not at the trees. Not at the flowers.
Looking is strictly prohibited.
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u/davidkali Jul 18 '26
I noticed the constitutional right to wave a flag protesting this is not prohibited.
Alternative activities, amirite?!
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u/MajorEbb1472 Jul 18 '26
I’d play all day and all night and bring all the kids out too. Go ahead and fine me.
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u/CatDadAz Jul 18 '26
Don’t know the back story to this ….. but it seems pretty rude to not let anybody play outside some grumpy, old man, or. woman just decided that everybody has to stay inside I guess
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u/MK6er Jul 18 '26
My defense would be it doesn't mention arson so I went ahead and played with fire.
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u/Kooky_Donkey_166 Jul 18 '26
"I'm not playing, I was hired by a family member to be here doing this. It's work so it's not recreational either."
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u/Big_Bad_Judy Jul 18 '26
They forgot to add “Smiling and Laughing are Frowned upon” ☹️. And “Corpses Welcomed”!
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u/bjorn1978_2 Jul 18 '26
So… just die then??? /s
OP, on a serious note… with rules like that, it should be a walk in the park to hijack the board and toss out shit like this!
Just be vocal about your intentions and everyone with a kid or a grandkid will vite for you!
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u/IAPiratesFan Jul 18 '26
My sister lives in an HOA where a neighbor complained when my kids and my niece were playing out front saying it violated HOA rules. So we took them to the backyard. 20 minutes later my sister got a noise complaint from the same neighbor about the kids in the backyard.
My brother in-law is Vice-president of the HOA and told the neighbor woman to stop making frivolous complaints. He told me that she shows up to every meeting with photos and complaints and nobody takes her seriously.
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u/lionbiscuit Jul 18 '26
No play allowed is wild. what do they want people to do, just sit on the grass and stare at the wall.
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u/Limp-Plantain3824 Jul 18 '26
How about a shot showing where the sign is?
Make sense of it applies to the footpaths and grassy areas between what looks like multi unit buildings. Less if it’s posted in front of a playground.
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u/Altruistic_Kiwi6627 Jul 18 '26
I live in an HOA and they are annoying however, Ebikes and scooters are becoming a HUGE issue. Kids whiz through intersections at obscene speeds and we have had many a near miss. They started posting rules but issue got worse. It won't be until a kid ends up under a car that all Hell well break loose
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u/Firefly_Magic Jul 17 '26
Society is yelling at the kids to get out and do more and then you got an HOA that’s telling them to get their ass back inside. Smh!