Build Bathrooms at HOA Park

Started by VelmaD • 6 replies • 210 views

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VelmaD (Texas)
Posts: 1

Posted:

Good afternoon. WE have a large park in our neighborhood with no bathroom facilities. We have no pool, clubhouse or court facilities. there is a large pavilion, playscape and large open area to play sports or have community gatherings. The developer did not plan to put in any other amenities. We would like to build a bathroom, but really have no idea where to start. We have concerns about keeping the facility clean, daily locking/unlocking and and use by non-residents as we are not gated. My husband suggested we put in the type that needs to be pumped vice running to sewer (as many golf courses have that here in TX) and install the electric lock that you can lock with a phone so the board can do that daily! Any thoughts on the subject

CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299

Posted:

I'm assuming that this park is common area - ie, owned by the HOA and homeowners pay assessments to keep it up. If the park is not owned by the HOA, of course, this plan is a non-starter.

That said, adding any amenities like this would very likely be a capital improvement that will need homeowner approval. Your CC&Rs should describe the percentage of yes votes needed to approve something like this. A super-majority (67% or 75%) is typical, although some improvements require unanimous approval from the membership.

In addition to the initial cost, you'll also have expenses for routine upkeep (cleaning, because OMG), possibly security (weird and bad stuff can happen in unattended public restrooms) and increased insurance costs as a result. The HOA will also have to set aside reserve dollars to pay for repairs and replacements, so this will increase assessments as well. (You wouldn't think bathrooms could cause this much trouble and expense, but they can.)

If the board is seriously considering this, they should begin the discussions about what this improvement will involve. I predict some homeowners will decide they can just go home to use the facilities when they discover how much this convenience will cost.

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 4,420

Posted:

I agree with all that CathyA3 posted.

As well any restroom intended to stand permanently might very well have to meet A.D.A. requirements.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

This can be very expensive. It will call for a special assessment most likely. That is why the developer didn't build bathrooms most likely. You have to contend with sewer/water/Electric departments. Which they can have a sizeable deposit to do the work depending on where they got to dig/tie in. You can call the utilities to see what they will charge for adding the additional water/sewage/run a line. Plus you will have to put in the budget paying for these on a regular basis. Not to mention the repairs/maintenance/cleaning.

My suggestion? There are porta johns companies out there that can set up. I know of someone whom actually owns their own Bathroom trailer! They are extremely nice portable facilities can rent. This may be a better option as pay a company to take care of the units. They have one at one of our parks that is really nice. We have a park downtown that has no bathrooms. The city will bring one of those units down for events. Your HOA may want to do just a special event set up rental.

Not many people like the look of these facilities. However, it's an option to look into that is affordable and won't be a responsibility of the HOA other than rent.

Former HOA President

LoriM15 (Florida)
Posts: 1,009

Posted:

If you are really serious about this, I would first figure out what your documents say about needing owner approval to add an amenity, as others have said. In most HOAs, you do need to get a quorum in order to add or subtract an amenity.

Second, I would see what the process is in your documents to do a special assessment. The money to do the construction is going to have to come from somewhere - so most likely you will have to assess everyone a lump sum to get started.

Third, I would hire an architect (or just pay for a consultation) to discuss the scope of the work that is going to be done. How many stalls? How many sinks? Is heat or a/c required? Once you have a scope of work, you can get a rough estimate and figure out how much that special assessment is going to be.

You will be surprised how expensive a simple bathroom might be. We just corrected an issue that our developer left us with and had to add a water meter for our clay tennis courts. The watering system was illegally connected to the clubhouse water system. The county connection fee was $32,000 (which is why the developer did it illegally 20 years ago).

Finally, remember that once you build the bathroom, you have to raise your dues to cover maintenance and repair and add to the reserves for replacements of the building and contents.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

As Cathy has stated, I would say that would be a BIG NO!! Since you are not gated, have no amenities there should be no expectation
to provide relief facilities to anyone. Since you are not gated this would be a huge magnet for nefarious purposes and become an instant
albatross upon your community. I've patrolled both middle class and upper class gated communities that have amenities with bathrooms, and both
had the same issues with drug use, hook ups etc. The one property even put electronic locks on the doors that locked people out after hours.

It will be a bad idea from the start, cleaning, water, sewer inspections, health inspections upkeep, bad, bad, bad.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 03/15/2024 7:58 PM
As Cathy has stated, I would say that would be a BIG NO!! Since you are not gated, have no amenities there should be no expectation
to provide relief facilities to anyone. Since you are not gated this would be a huge magnet for nefarious purposes and become an instant
albatross upon your community. I've patrolled both middle class and upper class gated communities that have amenities with bathrooms, and both
had the same issues with drug use, hook ups etc. The one property even put electronic locks on the doors that locked people out after hours.

It will be a bad idea from the start, cleaning, water, sewer inspections, health inspections upkeep, bad, bad, bad.

I agree.

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