Last week, we send notices to every resident who has a stored or wrecked vehicle under their carport. Just so we are clear, here’s what the rules are:
Carports
a. Wrecked cars and inoperable vehicles are not allowed in any carport. (includes expired inspection stickers and expired license plates).
b. No car will be allowed to be up on jacks or blocks, or permitted to be parked with flat tires.
c. No tractors or trailers may be parked in carports.
The notices we sent out are a courtesy warning; the last thing we want is for this subdivision to look like a wrecking yard. A stored vehicle, under a tarp or other cover, is NOT an operable vehicle. If it was, it would be driven regularly, which they are not. Inoperable vehicles are also a violation of GP Codes, and can result in a visit from Code Enforcement.
Some properties have had stored or wrecked vehicles on their properties for months, if not longer. We are now addressing this and will resort to fines and other enforcement actions if required. It is not fair to those who follow the rules to allow others not to.
Does the HOA have legal right to remove a vehicle from private property?
No.
Inoperable vehicles violate our rules, and always have. In answer to your question, the HOA can issue significant Fines and if those fines are left unpaid, we can file a lien against the property. The City has been made aware of these 10-12 stored vehicles and have the authority to issue citations and can tow these vehicles after they provide sufficient notice to the owner of the property. Code Enforcement has been making the rounds throughout the subdivision at our request. The last thing we want is for our property values to be reduced because the place looks like a wrecking yard or storage facility.
Even if you owned a house and driveway that are not within an HOA, you still cannot have inoperable vehicles on your property; the same City Codes apply.