Unsightly conditions and sources of annoyance?

What is so unsightly about it? Is it just the fact it's against the rules? We had someone else on here post that they wanted their HOA to approve special permissions for people to park their RV's in the backyard. That way not seen from the road.

I personally don't find an RV in the backyard an annoyance or source of one. It's not parked in the driveway or on the street, then what does it matter?

Well then sounds like you need to go to a board meeting and bring up your concerns. Ask the board why this is okay. Maybe it isn't but they can't get the person to move it. Do you know they are not taking action or have received complaints? What can they do to remove it per the rules? Just because it is restricted how is that restriction enforced?

You need to get more like minded people to attend the meeting or run for the board. Want things enforced either be part of the solution or help those who are.

For transparency, I am the author of the thread asking about whether a variance for the RV was applicable, given that none of the reasons for a variance were applicable and given the strict prohibition being anywhere other than in an enclosed garage.

I actually attempted to run for the Board but was unsuccessful, so I feel like I was really trying to be part of the solution versus another one of their critics who wasn't willing to put in the work to make things better.

I have been trying for over a month to find out why it was approved but have been met with silence.

Does anyone have experience with validating (or disproving) a claim of something creating an unsightly condition and/or source of annoyance? Trying to see if there is a threshold or "test" to figure out if I am going down the right path.

-Bass

This may be a workable solution if all else fails, but in my opinion, it's unacceptable to put onus on the aggrieved owner to waste time, effort, and money mitigating a problem intentionally caused by the neighbor and in appropriately allowed by the Board.

I agree that the requirements for allowing a waiver in this situation have not been met and the RV being stored in a backyard (a la trailer park) is unacceptable. Maybe in Alabama it's a normal and accepted sight; however, I wouldn't stand for it either.

If you've been polite in your informal requests for more info or an explanation and have been met with silence, then it's time to formalize things and be a bit more forceful in your search for answers. That said, is actually speaking with your neighbor out of the question? Pursuing this issue and complaint may tarnish whatever relationship you have with this neighbor, but perhaps it's already not a great one.

Relax, I was kind of joking around. It's great that you don't care about RVs, or that your docs allow storage of them in back yards, or that you feel a certain way. All that doesn't matter to the OPs issue.

It matters what the OP thinks of RVs, what the OP's docs allow, and how the OP feels. In this case, the OP's docs state the following, "no parking of RVs unless in an enclosed garage." The OPs docs permit waivers of doc requirements under certain conditions which have not been met in this case. Therefore, the neighbors parking of an RV in their backyard is not permitted and is a violation. The OP purchased into the neighborhood understanding that certain rules exist, the OP has every right to be upset with an RV being parked in a backyard against the rules, and the OP should expect the Board to enforce the rules and not approve a variance when it is not allowable.

Judging only by the OP's accounting of things . . . I find it funny how what appears to be a clear violation of the documents, an inappropriate granting of a variance, and lack of enforcement of a rule by the Board has instead become an attack on the OP by the obviously, pro-RV community . . . telling him that he should move, get a grip, sue (I'm sure we'll be reminded soon that "suing your neighbor is suing yourself"). If you enjoy looking at RVs parked in back yards, and hosting gatherings at your home while your neighbor's RV looms in the background, that's cool. If you don't enjoy that sight, then you move into a neighborhood that doesn't allow such a thing, and should certainly expect it never to happen (without significant reasoning). When it does happen, and for apparently no good reason, you should be allowed to become upset, want answers, and work to ensure it isn't allowed.

Not sure of the proximity of homes in the OP's neighborhood, but one should expect to be able to sit in their own back yard and see the typical sights . . . neighbors, other homes, kids playing, toys, trees, landscaping, gardens, fences, wildlife/animals, swing sets, sheds (perhaps), etc., etc., etc. . . . but not a giant RV (unless you live in a state where that's normal).

And this is exactly how an HOA is supposed to function. The governing documents often give owners the right to sue a neighbor who is violating the covenants because the law recognizes the economic and other impacts of said violation on other homeowners. Many people move to neighborhoods with HOAs in part because of the community standards, and they have every right to expect these standards to be enforced.

Having said that, there are also practical limits on what a homeowner can do in this case. Based on the OP's description, he has a legitimate complaint, but how much woe, grief and effort is he willing to put up with to resolve the situation to his satisfaction? It's a favorite tactic of bad actors to tell people to "get a grip" when they object to the bad behavior - similar to the "you just hate dogs" refrain we hear from those who won't clean up after their pets - but it's also pragmatic. How much to you love your home? Will you still love it if you have to look at an RV in the neighbor's back yard? If not, will you love it if you spend a bunch of money to legal action? Will you love it if you're living next door to an angry neighbor? Will this episode permanently sour your view of your home and neighbors?

In other words, "get a grip or move" may be a rude response to a legitimate complaint, but it can also be a pragmatic response to limited options. The OP needs to decide for himself which options best serve his needs.

Do your lots provide for RV parking?

3 feet over your 6 ft fence in height? Maybe he can’t get it into his garage and has appealed the ruling.

You don’t mention if you know whether he appealed the rule in front of the board.

JohnC46,
You're right, this thing is so frustrating that it is sometime easy to go down rabbit holes. You would think I have a "no brainer" situation that everyone could get on board with, but the Board doesn't seem to think so and I am truly baffled how the Board created this situation and now refuses to take responsibility for it and remedy it.
-Bass

The RV would definitely not fit in the garage. My neighborhood is not custom built house, but all cookie cutter houses. I know he got the RV approved by the Board, so I am assuming he appealed the rule. I have been attempting unsuccessfully to find out the Board's justification for approving it.

In Texas, fining is toothless. HOAs cannot lien for unpaid fines, and any payments made by an owner must be applied to assessments first. Your HOA can fine him a million dollars a day and as long as he pays the assessment those fines will just accrue. Unless he wants to sell or refinance.

You’ve asked the board why they granted a variance. They won’t answer. Since you don’t know their reason why are you so sure it’s an invalid reason?

If it’s parked on grass maybe you can turn your neighbor in to the city. Otherwise your options are what they e always been.