Saturday, March 14, 2009

Got to love homeowners associations

We'd been planning to finally add a compost bin on our lot this summer. Just to make sure it's allowed, I check our lovely homeowner association rules. There's nothing that specifically says no composting but one that could be applied that way.

So I e-mail the HOA and get this response:

Compost bins are allowed if stored inside. If stored outside the no storage tank
of any kind is allowed on a lot.


Who in their right mind tries to compost in their garage?

Any suggestions on getting around this one?
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6 comments:

  1. Carol MichelMarch 14, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    I have compost bins in my backyard even though my HOA covenants have something in them about not allowing "rubbish piles" or something like that. No mention of compost bins, and clearly a compost pile or bin or whatever is not a rubbish pile, so "don't ask, don't tell". I haven't had anyone ask in over 10 years. I do have a privacy fence, however.

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  2. RobbieMarch 14, 2009 at 4:23 PM

    Unfortuantely we don't have a fence yet, so I that could be a problem. Maybe I'll just try "lasagna gardening" this fall and see how much my neighbors love me then! :-)

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  3. JennaMarch 15, 2009 at 7:54 PM

    vermicompost!!

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  4. AnonymousMarch 16, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    Well, I just saw a lovely compost bin designed to go in the garage in the Gardener's Supply catalog -- only $300!!!!

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  5. RobbieMarch 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    Actually, I did hear back from the HOA after I further educated them. A nice bin - like a wood constructed one - would have to require an architectural approval. So they're not 100% opposed to it, I guess more uneducated about it than anything.

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  6. Lisa Nelsen-WoodsMarch 31, 2009 at 9:59 PM

    MY HOA says we can have garbage cans outside but no play structures or other things the lawn guys have to mow around. Just to make sure that my compost bin was OK I made one out of a garbage can http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/2008/04/covert-urban-composting.html. Just make sure you drill holes in the bottom of the can as well as all over the sides.

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