Bounce houses and water slides

Started by HelenL2 • 12 replies • 1362 views

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HelenL2
Posts: 7

Posted:

I have searched to see if this has been addressed before, and haven't found anything.

I'm considering asking for a restriction on bounce houses/waterslides. Does anyone have anything like this in your HOA?

Most of our homes are small one story homes about 1500-1700 square feet, and the yards are small as well. All backyards are bordered with 6' wooden fences.

I'm not against people having a party for their kids. What we've had to deal with is two story tall inflatables that are nearly touching our fence as they take up so much room, with the fan running constantly. The most recent time this was done, the house backing up to mine had a huge water slide and the screaming/splashing was nearly nonstop from 4 in the afternoon until well after midnight, and the height gave all the users a direct view into my backyard. I have a pet that goes out twice a day and he refused to go out due to the commotion.

Unfortunately there is a language barrier with several neighbors, so just trying to talk to them doesn't work.

Our town has all kinds of park space, some with reservation options, so there's plenty of alternative areas to host parties.

Any thoughts?

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

IF it is property now owned by the HOA, then not much can do about it. They still have to abide by the noise rules if there are any in place. Which is usually not after 10 pm. Plus they should be only temporary not long term.

I would suggest letting your dog out more than 2 times a day. Take it to the park when they put up a bouncy house. Might be a reason to get out of the house or join in the fun.

Former HOA President

MarkR21 (North Carolina)
Posts: 710

Posted:

Enforce your noise rules then. Having something almost touch your fence and having a dog that's afraid to take a crap outside arent good enough reasons to restrict your beughbors right to let kids have a party a few times a year

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

Nobody cares what you are doing in your backyard, least of all children climbing a water slide.

One day of your life was mildly inconvenienced and you want to ban people from having their kids birthday party in their own backyard.

Get a grip.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BarbaraT1 on 07/31/2022 10:32 AM
Nobody cares what you are doing in your backyard, least of all children climbing a water slide.

One day of your life was mildly inconvenienced and you want to ban people from having their kids birthday party in their own backyard.

Get a grip.

I agree.

HelenL2
Posts: 7

Posted:

I never said I had a dog, so "dog park" is not an option.

For the people who think I'm a kid hater: these are not always "kid parties"; some are events for the business they run from their home, and they're more often than "once a year" and one of their events lasted the entire weekend. The people who were screaming profanities at midnight certainly did not sound like "little kids."

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Ask the Board at an open meeting to enforce your nuisance rules or covenants. Assume you're not on the board?

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By HelenL2 on 07/31/2022 1:20 PM
I never said I had a dog, so "dog park" is not an option.

For the people who think I'm a kid hater: these are not always "kid parties"; some are events for the business they run from their home, and they're more often than "once a year" and one of their events lasted the entire weekend. The people who were screaming profanities at midnight certainly did not sound like "little kids."

I don’t think you’re a kid hater, I think you’re ridiculous and entitled. Go live in a cave if you can’t cope with other people making noise.

MichaelS56 (Minnesota)
Posts: 859

Posted:

The city you live in should have a city noise ordinance that you could bring to the attention of the Board.

MichaelT21 (Arkansas)
Posts: 501

Posted:

All,

I'm not familiar with the OPs situation so can't make a comment on to her situation, but I will offer this:

When I was in college, my dorm room for 3 years faced a large expanse of soccer fields. Every Saturday & Sunday during the fall from dawn to dusk, the fields would be full of school age children and their families playing soccer. The parents cheered the kids on for upwards of 12 hours each day (different sets of parents rotating through of course). It drove me bonkers. Sure it's just kids and a game, but hours and hours of cheering got tiresome. During early fall, it was hot outside and we had no a/c, so I'd have to leave the windows open.

Never again will I live near a playground, a sports field, or a high school stadium.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Many HOA's mention trampolines, swing sets. play forts and other play equipment in their governing documents and what
limitations are placed on them. Start with your governing documents. Summon them to a compliance hearing and fine them accordingly.
Perhaps a monetary fine will change their behavior.

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MichaelS56 on 08/01/2022 4:16 AM
The city you live in should have a city noise ordinance that you could bring to the attention of the Board.

Noise ordinances would be enforced by the entity creating them, not by the association.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

I see that Helen has left the forum. I think some of the engagement on this forum is off-putting to some posters particularly new ones. I have been an occasional poster on this forum for years and there are times when I feel like doing the same thing. But I admit there are times when my behavior is not the most stellar. I manage to sort through the noise and stay with it because there is more good advice given than bad behavior that is sometimes posted. It's the nature of anonymous forums.

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