I’m a rule follower. I always have been. I figure that there must be a good reason for a rule, or it wouldn’t exist. That said, I’m fully aware there are many outdated, illogical, and sometimes ridiculous “rules” and laws that are surely unnecessary.
But of the rules we tend to live by these days, the ones that are enforced, most are probably logical. That is, until HOAs get involved. Thankfully, I’ve never had to live under the thumb of an HOA. And as much of a “rule follower” as I tend to be, I can see myself being a real pain for any HOA rules I was subjected to because I can be incredibly stubborn when I feel I’ve been wronged.
This scenario would’ve been one of those times if it had happened to me!
When I watched the video below about an HOA threatening to fine a woman who was using a generator to keep the lights on and the house warm during winter storm Fern, I just had to find out what happened. In short, the HOA backed down, as they should have, but said that this was a “one time” exception:
It’s just silly for an HOA to expect compliance during such a devastating weather event. And this is why HOAs are horrible organizations. They’re often run by petty people who have nothing better to do with their lives; people who are looking to nit pick anything and everything … even during one of the worst winter storms in collective memory.
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to my very survival or being subject to HOA fines, it’s a no-brainer.
But that begs the question: How much should you comply when it comes to your preparedness? Not just with HOA rules, but with local or city ordinances? Or with state or federal laws?
After all, I’m sure there are many “rules” and laws that most of us break regularly without even knowing it. An example might be storing too much fuel on your property.
I asked Gemini, “What laws or ordinances or apartment/HOA rules might the average prepper or survivalist be breaking that they’re unaware of? Things like storing too much fuel on the property, choices regarding firearms, raising chickens, etc.” It responded with some rules that even I wasn’t aware of:
When prepping moves from a hobby to a lifestyle, it’s easy to cross legal lines that were written for “average” suburban life. Most preppers aren’t breaking “prepping laws” (there really aren’t any), but they are often violating local Fire Codes, Zoning Ordinances, and HOA Covenants.
Here are the most common legal tripwires for survivalists.
1. Fuel & Hazardous Material Storage
This is the most common “hidden” violation. Fire departments limit how much fuel you can keep because high volumes of accelerants turn a house fire into a neighborhood-threatening event.
- Quantity Limits: Most residential fire codes (NFPA 30) limit gasoline storage to 25 gallons total, with no more than 10 gallons inside an attached garage.
- Location Restrictions: Storing fuel in a basement is almost universally illegal.
- Propane: Many HOAs and city ordinances limit you to two 20lb (5-gallon) tanks. Storing 100lb “pigs” or large tanks often requires a permit and a specific distance (setback) from the property line.
- Containers: Using unapproved containers (like old milk jugs or non-DOT-approved barrels) is a violation and a massive liability for insurance.
2. Livestock & “Micro-Farming”
“Stealth” chickens are popular, but they are easy to spot (and hear).
- The Rooster Ban: Almost all suburban and urban areas ban roosters due to noise ordinances. Even “chicken-friendly” towns usually limit you to 4–6 hens.
- The Slaughter Rule: Even if you can keep chickens, many local ordinances prohibit slaughtering them on-site in residential zones.
- Setbacks: Coops often have “setback” requirements, meaning they must be 20–50 feet from any neighbor’s dwelling. On a small lot, this often makes a legal coop impossible.
3. Water Collection & Greywater
- Rainwater Harvesting: While legal in all 50 states now, some (like Colorado or Utah) still have strict limits on the number of gallons you can collect or the surface area of the roof used for collection.
- Greywater Systems: Routing your laundry water to your garden (“laundry-to-landscape”) is illegal in many jurisdictions without a specific plumbing permit and a filtered system to prevent “pooling,” which is considered a public health nuisance.
4. Firearms & Defensive Structures
- Discharge Laws: In most municipalities, it is illegal to discharge a firearm (even for target practice or pest control) within city limits or within a certain distance of an occupied structure (often 1/4 to 1 mile).
- NFA Items: Many preppers overlook state-level bans on items like silencers or short-barreled rifles, even if they have the federal tax stamp.
- Defensive Landscaping: Using “punitive” plants (like thorny bushes) is fine, but certain HOAs prohibit “fortress-like” features, such as barred windows, reinforced security doors, or perimeter fences that exceed 6 feet.
5. HOA “Aesthetic” Violations
HOAs focus on property values, which often clash with survival gear:
- Solar Panels: Some states have “Solar Rights” laws that prevent HOAs from banning panels, but they can still dictate where they go (e.g., they can’t be visible from the street).
- Compost Piles: If your compost smells or attracts rodents, it can be cited as a “nuisance.”
- Gardens: Many HOAs require “manicured” front yards and may fine you for replacing grass with a vegetable “victory garden.”
Pro-Tip: The “Insurance” Factor
Even if the police don’t come for your 100 gallons of stored gasoline, your homeowners insurance company might deny a claim if a fire occurs. They generally require you to follow all local fire codes to maintain coverage.
The insurance problem, especially for me, is something to reconsider. Although my insurance company was wonderful to us when a hailstorm damaged our home and property about two years ago, I can see some white collar bureaucrat happily denying a claim if they can find a loophole that’s somehow related to my preparedness efforts.
What about you? What rules or laws weren’t included that should’ve been?
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