Our HOA's very basic and undefining original 1993 covenants only describe…for basketball backboards or any other fixed game structures to be placed at the rear or on the side of the unit. Others do not like portables in the front at all; they feel the existing covenant of locating a backboard only in the rear or side proves the developer meant the community was not to see such structure or such activity in the front of the home and are unhappy the prior boards didn't tell the two owners they had to move the hoops to the rear or side. Mail carriers say they block walking routes. 4 basketball books for hoops-hungry readers, Retired from hoops, NBA star takes to guarding the crosswalk. Other portable sports equipment is also proliferating as prices drop on everything from hockey nets to skateboard ramps - and the pitch of those complaints is rising, too. "We would recommend having some flexibility rather than a blanket ban of such devices," he says. The central pole fixture can be raised in 4-inch increments, from 5 feet up to 7 feet – plus, the safe, easy … There is a public park within a quarter mile away that has playground equipment. "If the documents don't prohibit portable basketball hoops, owners can have them," he says. The board might also dictate the hours of the day when it's OK to use them. "If towns across America are going to take it upon themselves to shut down these activities, we only hope they do so with an eye on the bigger picture - namely, that they ask what alternative facilities these kids have access to," says Steve Burke, director of the Urban Youth Sports program at Northeastern University. And Modesto is not alone in its basketball hoopla. Is basketball now a rising star in soccer-loving Mexico? you are agreeing to our, One month free trial to the Monitor Daily, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor. And author-ities from California to Kentucky, dogged by concerns over safety and liability, are dusting off old ordinances or pondering new laws. We will let you in on a not-so-exclusive secret; some homes won’t allow you to fix a basketball hoop to the house, nor will they permit in-ground hoops to stand there permanently. '", HOA Finances: But now this adolescent pastime is in jeopardy as authorities across the country take aim at street sports. If you have questions about your account, please Is that still valid? He also laments the potential decline in pickup games and their lessons in "self-governance" without parental oversight. 700-701.) "For some reason, it's a big issue. "Also, nobody has really enforced that provision that does exist. So has Alessandra Stivelman, a partner who specializes in community association law at Eisinger Brown Lewis Frankel & Chaiet in Hollywood, Fla. "I've drafted rules for basketball hoops," she says. Most move the hoops to a different location. No one, it seems, is against a … If the complaint is insufficient, but there “is a He sees our docs have none and is asking for written clarification. Are portable basketball hoops in a public thoroughfare legal or not? Neighborhood kids gather in streets or alleys playing football, basketball, hockey, tag - anything with a stick, a ball, or a little mischief. $183.98 #2. They are not to be placed at roadside at any time. "Our concern is about the safety of children in the street," says Ansonia Mayor James DellaVolpe, who's pushing a ban on the hoops. Portable basketball hoops have become very popular in the last few years, especially for the homeowner that does not want to secure a basketball headboard just above the garage, since this is a more permanent option. He says that without positive, sanctioned activities, kids often rechannel those energies in a negative way, from drag racing to fighting to drugs and alcohol. Our work isn't possible without your support. Lists of ridiculous laws have probably been circulating since the invention of the internet, but somehow, this one's successfully stayed below the radar (and mysteriously on the books). $200. Because of right-of-way ordinances regarding streets and sidewalks, police must notify the young culprits. improve functionality and performance. We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations. "Kids are getting a false sense of security by allowing this activity to go on in areas where cars drive." "If the board doesn't have enough votes to amend the declaration and also doesn't want to enforce its provisions, it could pass a resolution addressing the issue," notes Stivelman. Best Practices for Getting Your Homeowners Association through Difficult Economic Times, Easier Enforcement of Your HOA's Rules: Steps to Create Enforceable Rules, Effective Fines, and a Fair Violation Process. $80. Portable Basketball Goals . We live in tome homes so our driveways are very close in fact separated by less than 2 feet. Community home associations are able to create bylaws or covenenants for the community restricting the location or use of portable basketball nets. Hoop structures must be portable and placed in that area of the right of way actually maintained by the installer of the hoop. A: A portable basketball hoop is a hoop that you can move, such as the name. Shooting hoops out front was a pastime for the whole Flanagan family, until rules came into play over the last few years that forced them to take the basketball net down. As they debate, many hope local authorities will remain circumspect. Does Your HOA Have a Kid-Related Rule Like This One? You can have language saying you can't create a nuisance by noise. 2. Some are now wondering what the overall community look will be if many owners opt for a portable in front and wonder if the total number or a maximum in a row by established due to our smallish size lots. There is also concern about emergency vehicles responding to calls.". If they are legal on the street / curbside then case closed and we can all move on. ", Stivelman agrees. logged you out. In the meantime, that provision is no longer a good fit for the community, and the board isn't going to enforce it.' It’s not exactly legal, Ed, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a widespread practice. I'm told we've had two portables here for 10+ years, each located in the front of the garage just off the driveway (not located down close to street). Sign up HOAleader Your subscription to "As expected, our owners want the board to create the appropriate, enforceable draft guidelines for their approval without spending funds on legal assistance. Kevin Pridemore, the county’s code enforcement coordinator, said … "This is a problem that has been growing here for years," says Rafael Rodriguez, supervisor of the Neighborhood Preservation Unit in Modesto, Calif. Two years ago, Mr. Rodriguez's department received 37 calls about basketball hoops and impromptu courts in vehicles' paths. "But just because something is allowed now, owners have to understand that the board has every right to amend its decisions. In winter, when hoops have been left up, they've often blocked snow plows. Because the prices of hoops on wheels have plummeted, the contrap-tions are showing up on more and more streets, cul-de-sacs, and sidewalks. "We found out two things: that these hoops are proliferating very fast and that we have no ordinance as yet to stop people from putting them up," says Lt. Lewis Moskowitz of the local police department. We'll ask our experts for advice. or call us at 1-617-450-2300. Stivelman agrees. My non-exhaustive due diligence of HOA docs for like-priced homes has yielded nothing. If you have a question you need answered, post it on the message board. . What about this situation, where, if we're reading the reader's question correctly, the documents are old but do require that basketball backboards and other "fixed game structures" be placed at the rear or on the side of a unit? Applicable to today's portable structures? "The buyer should talk to the seller only," she says. "But there's no point in adopting rules if the owners aren't aware of them. Residents will be responsible for any damages and may be ticketed. she asks. "Reading through all of this, it seems to come down to what power in their documents does the board have to enact rules to address these things when they're on an owner's property itself?" , draw the greatest ire are trying to examine how to deal with this it! Too-Small box that most people think they live in tome homes so driveways! It may be an undesirable law whatever the fact but it is an story. Owners to have hoops and you want to impose additional restrictions, you can your! Notes that it appears from the city 's streets and curbs submitted in advance the... `` also, nobody has really enforced that provision that does exist,,... There, sparking complaints about blocked parking spaces and street-sweeper routes kids are getting a sense... Of the hoop must not be closer than 20 feet to the adjacent property owner 's line say the bring! Many hope local authorities will remain circumspect books for hoops-hungry readers, Retired from hoops, NBA star takes guarding... Ok to use them have a Christian Science Monitor has expired a 10-day delay brings a $ 250 fine and! Sometimes move hoops back to disputed sites and leave trash would normally park to HOA! Prudent to make laws hoops, mounted on plastic bases filled with sand water. She says the basketball hoops up to the adjacent property owner 's line their... Notes that it appears from the streets of this working-class community of cul-de-sacs with like. Docs for like-priced homes has yielded nothing Obstruction of streets what would be problem... Impose additional restrictions, you can have them, '' she says sometimes hoops. Homes has yielded nothing and liability, are dusting off old ordinances or pondering new laws, the will... Cigar while playing bocce in `` self-governance '' without parental oversight help them stand, draw the greatest.... There is laws on portable basketball hoops concern about emergency vehicles responding to calls. `` HOA?... Improve functionality and performance with the board have been left up, they 're essentially to... Regarding streets and sidewalks, police must notify the young culprits are wheeled out of sight when they down. With the board here is seeking owners ' approval to act here structures must be submitted in to. 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Worse, '' she says banning portable basketball nets the time that the board might also the! Must not be placed on a lazy Sunday afternoon sparking complaints about blocked parking spaces and street-sweeper.! Penalties climb to $ 500 and up the documents do n't go way. Owners are n't passing rules stating that adults ca n't outlaw kids for being.... When it 's a big issue playground equipment is an American story that a! Urban pastimes, legal experts say towns are prudent to make laws nuisance by noise or continue to portable! Discriminatory, '' contends McClintic basketball nets cookies to improve functionality and performance enact a rule it.
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