Heat Wave Sparks Concerns Over HOA Green Lawn Requirement

It is not uncommon for a planned community to have an HOA green lawn requirement. This requirement stipulates that homeowners should keep their lawns lush and green. In the midst of a heat wave, though, that may not be possible.

Heat Wave Messes With HOA Green Lawn Requirement

Homeowners associations are known to enforce rules, including landscaping and maintenance rules, that require owners to keep their lawns green. As the Texas heat wave shows no signs of relenting, this requirement may prove difficult to fulfill.

Still, if an HOA compels its members to keep their lawns green, members have no option but to follow. Non-compliance often results in penalties ranging from fines to suspension of privileges.

An HOA must still adhere to local government restrictions and ordinances. An HOA must abide if a city or county issues an order to halt watering. As the heat wave persists in Texas, many local governments will likely issue such an order or, at the very least, limit grass watering.

If the local government does not impose such an order, an HOA can make an exception due to the heat or continue to compel members to water their lawns. The latter will definitely present some challenges for homeowners, especially regarding their water bills.

Changing the HOA Green Lawn Requirement

More often than not, the HOA board will move to change the association’s rules to limit grass watering. If not, homeowners can organize to propose an amendment. Alternatively, homeowners can call for a special meeting and remove board members who are against water conservation.

Additionally, homeowners have the option to install drought-resistant or water-conserving turf. This is according to Section 202.007 of the Texas Property Code. Drought-resistant plants don’t require much water to survive, so they are a good choice amidst the heat wave.