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CCR-Firearms for a rural HOA

Started by KimS16 • 12 replies • 155 views

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KimS16 (Oregon)
Posts: 3
Posted:
I am looking for a suggested CCR for firearms. We are a community of 15 properties with CCRs that were most recently amended and restated in 2024 with 100% of our community voting on the suggested amendments. In 2025 a new neighbor moved in and immediately started shooting at dirt piles on his property within 25 feet of the private road. He is now constructing a shooting range. The targets are set up within 10 feet of a neighbor's property. A missed shot could travel across 3 properties. One of the properties has established walking trails where the shooting bench can be seen from the trails. Many neighbors might support a shorter range or a better target area with a sufficient height berm and shot containment, but most do not want to allow shooting at all. Our county in Oregon does allow shooting on rural property. Our parcels are all less than 8 acres so a shooting range is not real practical. We are open to suggestions.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
8 acres is large enough for a recreational shooting range with properly constructed back stops. The fact is can be viewed from a walking trail is not a safety hazard.

In rural areas that have deer hunting with rifles, those rounds can carry for several hundred yards. There are no back stops and building and person being shot are quit rare.
KimS16 (Oregon)
Posts: 3
Posted:
I should have mentioned that their lot is one of the smaller lots at only 5 acres and they are shooting at a property that is about 7.3 acres with a range length of 80 yards with a berm of 7 foot so no, it is not a properly constructed back stop with 2 X 12's only above 6 foot. I should have also mentioned that the walking trail is less than 100 yards from the shooting bench and the top of the bench is at about the same level as the walking trail so it is a direct shot to the walking trail as the current bench is designed. Their property has a down slope at the targets. I am really looking at a sample CCR so that neighbors family, pets and property is not endangered.
KimS16 (Oregon)
Posts: 3
Posted:
I should have mentioned that their lot is one of the smaller lots at only 5 acres and they are shooting at a property that is about 7.3 acres with a range length of 80 yards with a berm of 7 foot so no, it is not a properly constructed back stop with 2 X 12's only above 6 foot. I should have also mentioned that the walking trail is less than 100 yards from the shooting bench and the top of the bench is at about the same level as the walking trail so it is a direct shot to the walking trail as the current bench is designed. Their property has a down slope at the targets. I am really looking at a sample CCR so that neighbors family, pets and property is not endangered.
MichaelS56 (Minnesota)
Posts: 859
Posted:
Does the state, county or city have any ordinances pertaining to a shooting range requirement?
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335
Posted:
What the HOA and/or owners want to do is restrict the use of land belonging to someone else, without having a covenant to do so.

I am not optimistic this can be achieved. Here is why:

-- The courts say that amendments to covenants have to be "reasonable." I think such an amendment (prohibiting a shooting range) would fail the reasonableness test.

-- Even if such an amendment would pass muster with the courts, the owner of this land bought it relying on there being no restrictions on shooting ranges. I believe the owner's lot would have to be grandfathered.

-- If the shooting qualifies as a "nuisance," then the HOA might have grounds to regulate it. "Nuisance" is something of a legal term of art. In general, a "nuisance" occurs when a court says it occurs.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Has anyone spoken to the owner about these concerns? Sometimes people do stuff without realizing the potential for danger - this may be a rural area, but stuff happens. I also wonder what this homeowner's insurance might think about this, but that's between them. Start with this approach first, as you may be able to resolve the issue that way.

If you come to an agreement with the owner (put it in writing and consult the association attorney to ensure it sticks), that may get the end of it. If, however, there are other homeowners that might try to build their own gun range, you'll want to start by checking if there are city or county rules regarding shooting ranges in ones backyard., along with the association's master insurance company. If the worst should happen, you don't want the association to be put as risk because someone got hurt or killed and the association is sued for allowing a homeowner to establish and maintain a threat to public safety.

The insurance company might also be able to give you guidance (along with the association attorney) on drafting the CCR which could improve its chances of being approved by the homeowners.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Contact local police and see what options they have.
MichaelS56 (Minnesota)
Posts: 859
Posted:
The state of Oregon has specifications for a shooting range.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ElleN on 11/23/2025 9:05 AM
What the HOA and/or owners want to do is restrict the use of land belonging to someone else, without having a covenant to do so.

I am not optimistic this can be achieved. Here is why:

-- The courts say that amendments to covenants have to be "reasonable." I think such an amendment (prohibiting a shooting range) would fail the reasonableness test.

-- Even if such an amendment would pass muster with the courts, the owner of this land bought it relying on there being no restrictions on shooting ranges. I believe the owner's lot would have to be grandfathered.

-- If the shooting qualifies as a "nuisance," then the HOA might have grounds to regulate it. "Nuisance" is something of a legal term of art. In general, a "nuisance" occurs when a court says it occurs.

To add to Ellen’s post, when an HOA does not have regulations in place to prohibit an improvement, it is difficult to enact regulations to require the improvement be removed or the activity associated with the improvement be made illegal.

I may not like a kids on a trampoline within 20 ft of my house anymore than some a shooting range, but passing a regulation prohibiting jumping after one is installed is a fools errand,
JackS20 (North Carolina)
Posts: 271
Posted:
get 11 out of 15 members to sign a petition to chagne the ccrs so no shooting ranges are allowed most ccrs have 2/3rds requirement to change ccrs. really that easy.
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
I grew up in the Cleveland inner city and my neighbor had a "shooting range" set up in the back yard garage.
The backstop consisted of 3 4'x'8 18ga sheets of steel two rows of hay bales stacked 4' high and our targets.
We shot bow & arrow, BBS and 22lr.
Sounds like fun to join in.
TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
Our California county doesn't permit shooting within a residential subdivision even when the parcels are multi-acre ones. Your CC&Rs probably prohibit nuisances and probably contain a description of permitted uses. Your local laws probably cover this too.

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