3 Myths (and Truths!) About Parking Rules in the HOA

The Discovery Channel’s popular “MythBusters” television show became a hit for a reason, and it’s not just for the hosts’ fun-loving personalities and wacky antics. After watching the show, viewers can finally understand – and explain to their friends – why commonly believed pop culture lore is (or isn’t) true.

Homeowner’s associations are no different from other communities or industries, in that there are some persistent myths that just don’t seem to go away. Those myths can breed serious misunderstanding and even resentment, and it’s always best to have open, honest, clear communication in an HOA environment.

Here, we lay out some commonly held ideas about parking rules in Arizona HOAs – and explain the truth behind them:

Myth 1: The HOA is targeting or discriminating against me.
Truth: The HOA compliance and/or parking inspector does not know the identity, race, religion, or gender of the vehicle owner when citing parking violations.

Myth 2: I spoke with the police department and the officer said the homeowners association cannot enforce parking on the City street.
Truth: If the HOA declaration/CC&R (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) cite on-street parking restrictions, an HOA can enforce a parking policy – even if the City owns the street.

Myth 3: The COX, SRP, and APS trucks park on the street (Arizona Utility Vehicles), so I can park my landscape truck on the street.

Truth: Specific on-call/emergency vehicles, detailed in ARS. 33-1809, may be parked on the street. Emergency responder vehicles such as an ambulance or EMT truck, and public utilities such as COX, SRP and APS, may park on property and on public/City-owned streets; they are absolved from a homeowners’ association parking restrictions.

Next time you hear one of these stubborn parking rule myths, you’ll be able to bring the truth into the conversation!