SteveA2 (California)
Posts: 9
Posts: 9
Posted:
does anyone have an idea if i need to have the permission from the HOA board to install a voice activated exterior camera system(California)
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home exterior surveillance camera system
Started by SteveA2 • 15 replies • 2407 views
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GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Depending on your type of dwelling, free standing vs. condominium and what your CC&R's require you may. The best thing to do is to ask the BOD or MC whether or not approval is needed for the type of system you wish to install.
Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Since California has strict laws about recording video & audio you may also require signage concerning your use of this type of system which may also require the HOA's approval.
Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665
Posts: 1,665
Posted:
If you have a detached house then you should be fine without asking HOA permission for the installation of the system. Many can be installed in such a manner that nobody will be able to see them.
But the problem could come when you comply with CA law. As Glen mentioned I believe that CA requires you notify people that you are recording them. And the signs would certainly fall under the HOA rules.
But the problem could come when you comply with CA law. As Glen mentioned I believe that CA requires you notify people that you are recording them. And the signs would certainly fall under the HOA rules.
SteveA2 (California)
Posts: 9
Posts: 9
Posted:
thanks everyone for all your help, I got some answers through the internet that helped. I can put the cameras in as long as they don't have a sound recording device. The cameras can be directed to view a public street but it appears that they cannot be directed to a privately owed street.
I also found a book that help me answer several of the California laws about the CC and R's. It's called condominium bluebook.
This book is going to help me beat the HOA and the property management for assessments on violations they have tried to impose on me.
I have several issues right now with the HOA and property management company.
1: leaving my garage door open
2: playing music with the garage door open
3: allowing my friends to hang around in the garage with the door open and music on.
all this during the weekend between the hours of noon to 3 pm
4: the sprinkler head was broken, I advised them that I would have someone fix it within 48 hours by phone. The next day I received a letter that they would send me a fine.
It's the guy next door that has issues with me, his buddy is the President.
I'll keep everyone posted on my progress and my battle
I also found a book that help me answer several of the California laws about the CC and R's. It's called condominium bluebook.
This book is going to help me beat the HOA and the property management for assessments on violations they have tried to impose on me.
I have several issues right now with the HOA and property management company.
1: leaving my garage door open
2: playing music with the garage door open
3: allowing my friends to hang around in the garage with the door open and music on.
all this during the weekend between the hours of noon to 3 pm
4: the sprinkler head was broken, I advised them that I would have someone fix it within 48 hours by phone. The next day I received a letter that they would send me a fine.
It's the guy next door that has issues with me, his buddy is the President.
I'll keep everyone posted on my progress and my battle
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Steve, I'm as staunch of defender of HOA rights as you will find here but I do not believe in abusing the process by either side. Keep in mind there are strict rules about fines and the fining process in California. While they can certainly fine, there must be a fine schedule which must be given to the membership and due process, which means you should answer every fine letter and request a hearing. They have to prove the violation and you have a right to question the person who accused you. For more go to http://www.davis-stirling.com/index.html and look under fines in the Index of Topics. Remember however that California is where the courts upheld fines of over $225,000 as valid because the homeowner could have stopped the fines at anytime simply by complying. Don't let "principle" drive you into the poor house.
Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Steve,
What are the specific restrictions/rules you have violated? Why should the assn care if your sprinkler head is broken or if you and your buddies are in your garage listening to music (unless the music is so loud it disturbs the neighbors)? What specifically is the "garage door" and "sprinkler" rule that you have violated?
What are the specific restrictions/rules you have violated? Why should the assn care if your sprinkler head is broken or if you and your buddies are in your garage listening to music (unless the music is so loud it disturbs the neighbors)? What specifically is the "garage door" and "sprinkler" rule that you have violated?
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posts: 5,671
Posted:
Steve,
We have a neighbor who has similar interests as you do. His buddies gather in his open garage and play the music. Believe it or not, music in a garage seems to funnel out and echo alot louder than you would think. Put the music on like you normally do and take a walk around your neighbors front sidewalk areas. Listen to the music. You would be suprised on how loud it gets away from the front or your property. Most association documents have covenants about peace and enjoyment of your property without disturbances from neighbors. You just might be at a decible level that is annoying to others. But there is also within reason so you might have to make an adjustment to that. As for the sprinkler head, unless the association pays for your water OR you are flooding the street or a neighbors yard, then someone needs to start worrying about themselves and forget about Steves yard.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posts: 5,671
Posted:
Steve,
Just out of curiosity, why are you installing the surveillance camera?
SteveA2 (California)
Posts: 9
Posts: 9
Posted:
My garage faces a public street managed and controlled by the city, so I don't see how the HOA can tell me that I'm violating the cc and r's. The other neighbors don't complain about the music. I have asked the neighbor on the other side if they had an issue and they tell me no. I thought maybe if i recorded my day to day activity , especially on the weekends i could have proof that the music was not loud and that my garage door is open to allow the breeze to come through the house. I'm not a fan of using the a/c. Since i can't have a sound recording device attached the cameras i have to reconsider the expense of having the cameras.
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
steve, you may not be able to record audio, but then again, that won't help your cause anyway: what you need is to obtain a decibel meter from an industrial hygienist and record decibels while your music plays at various locations.
Such meters are pretty cheap, and if you can't find a friend with a safety manager who will loan you one for the weekend, you can buy one for a couple hundred bucks.
Such meters are pretty cheap, and if you can't find a friend with a safety manager who will loan you one for the weekend, you can buy one for a couple hundred bucks.
SteveA2 (California)
Posts: 9
Posts: 9
Posted:
my buddy next door called the police three times, i was not aware of this until i received a report from the police dept telling me that there was a complaint about my music. Based on their findings i had not violated the law and dismissed the complaint. I called the police dept to find out what the heck was going on and they advised me they had measured the level and i was okay. The police are now my friends and keep me informed when my buddy calls. Per the police my buddy is complaining about several of the owners.
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
I'm not a big fan of asking neighbors if X, Y or Z is okay or fine with them because very often they are not going to tell you the truth and take the least line of resistance.
I've seen this in action way too many times to give it any weight (but my OTHER neighbor says it's okay. . .)
More than once we've had residents with dogs or mowing the lawn at 6:00 in the morning or having pool parties into the early morning hours say they've asked this neighbor or that neighbor if it bothers them and they claim the neighbor invariably has told them "no."
What they don't know is that the major complaints are coming to us from those very same neighbors.
So claiming your other neighbors don't mind is really meaningless.
I seriously don't see why you feel you need to record anything.
Just do as someone above says, walk up the street and see if you can hear it. If you can, then so can your neighbors and it's just plain freaking rude to play music so loud that it can be heard several houses away. Period.
It may pass the "decibel" level test, but it certainly doesn't pass the "I'm a good neighbor" test. In fact, what it says is "F*** you all. I'll do whatever I want."
That's a good attitude to have in community living.
Why do you have a problem dialing back the volume? Is it a control thing? Is it a power play?
I'm not understanding why you would want to be such a difficult neighbor?
Sure, some people can be really cranky. And over-react to even the most benign things. But, if you can hear your music across the street or down the street, it's too loud.
I've seen this in action way too many times to give it any weight (but my OTHER neighbor says it's okay. . .)
More than once we've had residents with dogs or mowing the lawn at 6:00 in the morning or having pool parties into the early morning hours say they've asked this neighbor or that neighbor if it bothers them and they claim the neighbor invariably has told them "no."
What they don't know is that the major complaints are coming to us from those very same neighbors.
So claiming your other neighbors don't mind is really meaningless.
I seriously don't see why you feel you need to record anything.
Just do as someone above says, walk up the street and see if you can hear it. If you can, then so can your neighbors and it's just plain freaking rude to play music so loud that it can be heard several houses away. Period.
It may pass the "decibel" level test, but it certainly doesn't pass the "I'm a good neighbor" test. In fact, what it says is "F*** you all. I'll do whatever I want."
That's a good attitude to have in community living.
Why do you have a problem dialing back the volume? Is it a control thing? Is it a power play?
I'm not understanding why you would want to be such a difficult neighbor?
Sure, some people can be really cranky. And over-react to even the most benign things. But, if you can hear your music across the street or down the street, it's too loud.
SteveA2 (California)
Posts: 9
Posts: 9
Posted:
WOW !!!! chill girl !!!!, i'm a great neighbor. I make no effort to make anyone mad, but i do have some rights
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Trust me, I am "chilled." I don't take anyone's posts personally.
I'm just sayin'
We're only hearing your side of the story, and, no offense because I don't know you personally, sometimes people don't have the ability to be self-critical.
Here's the thing, you really probably believe with your whole being that you're a "good neighbor."
Playing music in your garage, loud enough to be heard by other homeowners is not a "good neighbor."
Especially if it's done on a regular basis.
You think because no one else has complained that it's "all good," and that it doesn't reach a legal nuisance threshold by the police gives you some degree of free license to not be more considerate.
Frankly, if music being played in your garage is so high as to be heard several houses down, or even at the far end of adjacent homes, then, frankly, in terms of "neighborliness" it's too loud. In fact, it's probably even too loud for your buddies and you since I would imagine it's pretty durn hard to talk over loud music.
I'm guessing if you're playing it in your garage while you're hanging out that your goal isn't "dance party time."
To be frank, again, it shouldn't be much louder than background noise or music.
Keep in mind, the residents in our neighborhood who have had complaints made about them consider themselves to be "good" and "considerate" neighbors, as well.
But, a "good neighbor" doesn't leave a large dog out all day long, barking non-stop in the back yard.
A "good neighbor" doesn't hold a pool party and play music so loud that the next door neighbors can't carry on a conversation. Guess what? THAT level also passed the "decibel" test, but it was STILL too loud to be considered "good neighbor" activity.
I'm just saying that the fact that you would actually spend money to "prove" that you are not being that loud, rather than just turning it down a notch or two is a tad revealing, that's all.
We have a religious guy who lives across the street and down one house from us.
He is uber-religious. He's also a cop.
When he is out working on his car or washing it, or even doing YARD WORK, he brings out his itty bitty boom box and cranks out the Christian Music.
He plays it so loud that I can hear it when I'm in my back yard.
The people who live next door to him on either side actually leave and go hang out with other neighbors when he brings out his music.
Yet, he still considers himself a "good neighbor."
Go figure!
I'm just sayin'
We're only hearing your side of the story, and, no offense because I don't know you personally, sometimes people don't have the ability to be self-critical.
Here's the thing, you really probably believe with your whole being that you're a "good neighbor."
Playing music in your garage, loud enough to be heard by other homeowners is not a "good neighbor."
Especially if it's done on a regular basis.
You think because no one else has complained that it's "all good," and that it doesn't reach a legal nuisance threshold by the police gives you some degree of free license to not be more considerate.
Frankly, if music being played in your garage is so high as to be heard several houses down, or even at the far end of adjacent homes, then, frankly, in terms of "neighborliness" it's too loud. In fact, it's probably even too loud for your buddies and you since I would imagine it's pretty durn hard to talk over loud music.
I'm guessing if you're playing it in your garage while you're hanging out that your goal isn't "dance party time."
To be frank, again, it shouldn't be much louder than background noise or music.
Keep in mind, the residents in our neighborhood who have had complaints made about them consider themselves to be "good" and "considerate" neighbors, as well.
But, a "good neighbor" doesn't leave a large dog out all day long, barking non-stop in the back yard.
A "good neighbor" doesn't hold a pool party and play music so loud that the next door neighbors can't carry on a conversation. Guess what? THAT level also passed the "decibel" test, but it was STILL too loud to be considered "good neighbor" activity.
I'm just saying that the fact that you would actually spend money to "prove" that you are not being that loud, rather than just turning it down a notch or two is a tad revealing, that's all.
We have a religious guy who lives across the street and down one house from us.
He is uber-religious. He's also a cop.
When he is out working on his car or washing it, or even doing YARD WORK, he brings out his itty bitty boom box and cranks out the Christian Music.
He plays it so loud that I can hear it when I'm in my back yard.
The people who live next door to him on either side actually leave and go hang out with other neighbors when he brings out his music.
Yet, he still considers himself a "good neighbor."
Go figure!
JeannieraeO (California)
Posts: 27
Posts: 27
Posted:
I'm the President of the Board of my HOA and I work in the industry here in California. I agree that you should take a look at the Davis-Sterling website suggested by GlenL. Remember that anyone can write a book and make claims. Don't bet your financial future on a book that could be out of date. The Davis-Sterling act was updated within the last 6 months and some of the law was considerbly tightened up.
Also, your homeowner association has a few reasons why they don't want you playing loud music with the garage door open on a Saturday afternoon. Other than the valid point that the music could be disturbing, remember that most homes for sale are shown in the afternoon on a weekend. As a good neighbor, you want to behave in a way that will enhance the value of the property for you and your neighbors. Is your behavior scaring off potential buyers? I would definitely send a complaint letter to a homeowner who is lowering property values. Someday you will want to sell your home. How do you want your neighbors to behave then?
You live in a community with established rules and regulations. When you bought your property, you agreed to abide by them. Could you spend some time talking to your Board and working out a compromise rather than starting a range war? Just a suggestion.
Also, your homeowner association has a few reasons why they don't want you playing loud music with the garage door open on a Saturday afternoon. Other than the valid point that the music could be disturbing, remember that most homes for sale are shown in the afternoon on a weekend. As a good neighbor, you want to behave in a way that will enhance the value of the property for you and your neighbors. Is your behavior scaring off potential buyers? I would definitely send a complaint letter to a homeowner who is lowering property values. Someday you will want to sell your home. How do you want your neighbors to behave then?
You live in a community with established rules and regulations. When you bought your property, you agreed to abide by them. Could you spend some time talking to your Board and working out a compromise rather than starting a range war? Just a suggestion.
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