6 Ways to Outfox Homeowners Associations (HOA) - Survival homesteading and prepping can be accomplished while living under HOA rules

 by Tara Dodrill

Survival homesteading and prepping can be accomplished while living under HOA rules – you just have to be a little clever and sometimes even stealthy, with your preps. You may not be able to homestead or prepare like those of us lucky enough to live in a rural area, but there are still a plethora of ways to engage in a self-reliant lifestyle so your family is ready for whatever may come.

Homeowners Associations (HOA) sometimes mandate stringent rules about not only how your property looks and is maintained, but also the activities you (at least overtly) you can engage in both inside and outside of your own home. I live in a rural county where no HOAs exist, there is zero zoning of any kind. and not a single construction permit office.

While my personal knowledge of living within the boundaries of such a confined method of existence does not exist, I readily recall horror stories shared during my real estate courses. Once, one of my professors was late to class because he argued (and lost) getting a fine because he had parked his boat in his own driveway for longer than 24 hours!

As I studied my HOA real estate training chapters and committed all of that knowledge to memory for the state license exam, I began pondering how my survival homesteading lifestyle could still be obtained without being in a daily argument and accruing fines on a weekly basis. It can be done, if you learn how to blend your preps into the tightly manicured regulations imposed by hour HOA..

What Are Some Common HOA Rules That Can Impact My Prepping Plans?

The rules of HOAs vary greatly.

However, there are some common property activity and upkeep rules that you can expect.

You may need to find a way to navigate these rules to carry out your survival homesteading or prepping plans.

• Fencing types and location
• Livestock keeping – both small and large
• Gardening in the ground
• Exterior structure building materials, location, use, and colors
• Landscaping location, types of materials, and use

Uniformity is king when it comes to most HOAs, so expect anything out of the ordinary for the community standards to be met with extremely watchful eyes.

While living alongside a fancy golf course in an upscale area of Ohio, my sister-in-law was fined by her HOA for putting up a swing set that has a small canopy over the slide that did not fall within the allowable shades for outdoor decor in her community.

Your HOA could be this into the micromanagement of your life, or decidedly less stringent, but you must be aware of even the most minute of HOA rules before wasting time and money on a prepping project.

Homesteading and Prepping Within HOA Constraints

Discretion is crucial for success in HOA homesteading and prepping. Know the homeowners association rules thoroughly and take advantage of any gray areas.

By cleverly disguising your self-reliance activities, you can live a sustainable and prepared life even within an HOA agreement.

Here are some covert homesteading strategies to try:

Landscaping

While remaining within the color and height requirement for plants, opt for planting medicinal and edible herbs in flower beds instead of ornamental plants.

If you don’t have medicinal plant seeds in you stockpile, get your own Medicinal Garden Kit from here while they are still in stock.

Inside the Medicinal Garden Kit, you’ll find 10 seed packages with high-quality, NON-GMO seeds packaged in US, along with the details on how to plant, grow, and harvest each one.

Odds are, the HOA will not notice the difference because none of these plants produce fruit. You may also be able to get by with growing lettuce, kale, and even carrots or onions in your landscaping beds.

Container Gardening

Because these containers are portable, they should remain in compliance with any permanent structure or exterior attribute HOA rules and regulations.

Herbs can be planted in these containers, but so can most varieties of tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, strawberries, and other common garden veggies that do not need to sprawl like squash, zucchini, or cucumbers.

You can also move the plants around to obtain the best sun in your yard.

Solar

A growing number of HOAs may allow the use of solar panels on homes and outbuildings. Check your homeowners association rules first, and if it’s permitted, consider this sustainable energy source for your suburban or urban homestead.

Before installing solar panels, review the HOA’s rules and regulations, as some associations may have specific guidelines or restrictions on placement and appearance.

You might also consider building your own power solution. With the Modular Backyard Power Plant, you can create a reliable 24/7 power source right in your backyard.

The guide provides detailed steps and clear instructions, making it easy for anyone to assemble. This setup offers the advantage of free electricity and ensures you’re prepared even for prolonged blackouts.

Composting

Purchase a composter that falls within the exterior color rules of your HOA rules and regulations. Place it as discreetly out of view as possible.

Turn the compost and use it regularly to avoid it from becoming stinky and getting you into trouble.

Rainwater Harvesting

While rainwater harvesting can be challenging under HOA guidelines, you can still find ways to comply with the rules. Choose rainwater collection barrels that match the approved exterior colors or paint them to blend in.

To maintain a cohesive look, consider placing decorative elements or approved landscaping around the barrels, ensuring they fit seamlessly with your home’s appearance while adhering to HOA regulations.

Livestock

Chickens and rabbits will likely be the only livestock your HOA will permit – but maybe you will get super lucky and be able to keep miniature goats for milk and meat too!

It is highly likely that if you can keep chickens it will be only hens and there may be breed rules and flock number regulations you also have to follow.

Because rabbits are often kept as pets, you could be able to keep rabbits at your HOA but will have to follow hutch building and locations requirements to the letter to avoid fines – or rear them entirely indoors.

Enhance your opportunities for survival homesteading in an HOA by organizing workshops. Alternatively, consider hosting a special community event to share the benefits of growing your own groceries and preserving food.

The more people you convince that homesteading is a wise investment of time and money, the more support you may gain. This support can lead to more votes at the next HOA meeting, making it easier to achieve your preparedness goals.

You can also choose to run for the HOA board of directors. This will not likely be an easy task if your homeowners association has a well-established board or a click of really involved members who want to hold onto their little realm of power tightly.

But, if you interact with your neighbors regularly and put forth a platform for your campaign for the board in a proactive way and include non-prepping changes to the rules that also appeal with the general neighborhood populace, the chance are good that you could snag a board seat and push forth more flexible regulations that relate to your self-reliance plans.

Be mindful though, the more people you preach the benefits of prepping and survival homesteading, the more nearby folks that will know you have stockpiled resources, when the SHTF.