[tenten1977]

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Hey guys, so I got this letter from my HOA saying I can’t use a pressure washer to wash my car in my driveway. They’re saying something about water usage and safety concerns. This seems totally ridiculous to me—it’s my driveway! Can they really stop me from doing this?? Anybody dealt with something like this before?

[wingercom4th]

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Wow, that sounds like overreach to me. I get that HOAs can have rules about common areas, but your own driveway?? I think they’d have to point to a specific rule in the CC&Rs to back that up. Have you checked your documents? If it’s not in there, I’d argue back. Maybe they’re worried about water conservation, but still, it’s a stretch to ban pressure washing.

[ulricemma]

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Yeah, I’ve seen some HOAs put weird rules like this in place, especially in drought-prone areas. They might be concerned about water restrictions or runoff into the street. I know in some places, you can’t let certain chemicals or dirt flow into the storm drains. But if you’re using just water or eco-friendly soap, I don’t see the harm. I’d push back and ask them to show you the rule that says you can’t do it. They can’t just make up rules without something to back it up!

[serena_28]

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I had a similar issue with my HOA, but it wasn’t about pressure washing—it was about power tools making too much noise while I worked on my car. I pushed back, and turns out, they didn’t have any actual rule about it, so they dropped it. Sometimes HOAs get way too involved in minor stuff. Like @ulricemma said, unless there’s a written rule, they don’t have a leg to stand on.

[tenten1977]

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Thanks for the replies! I looked through the CC&Rs and I couldn’t find anything about pressure washing specifically. It mentions stuff about water conservation, but nothing about washing cars or pressure washers. I feel like they’re making it up as they go. I get we’re in a drought-prone area, but I don’t see how washing my car every couple of weeks is a problem.

[wingercom4th]

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If they can’t point to a specific rule, you should definitely challenge it. I bet they’re just throwing that letter around to scare people into compliance. Keep doing what you’re doing unless they can prove you’re breaking an actual rule. And even if water conservation is their concern, you could argue that a pressure washer uses less water than a regular hose!

[ulricemma]

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Exactly! Pressure washers are actually way more efficient with water than just hosing the car down. You’re being more eco-friendly, honestly. Maybe point that out to them if they try to come at you again. And like @serena_28 mentioned, if it’s not in writing, they don’t have the authority to enforce it.

[serena_28]

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I’d also recommend keeping all the letters and any emails they send you, just in case this escalates. Some HOAs get petty real quick when you push back. But you have every right to question them if they’re just making stuff up.

[tenten1977]

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Good idea @serena_28, I’ll save all the paperwork. I’m gonna send them a response asking for the specific rule, but I doubt they can produce anything. This feels like HOA drama over nothing again. Thanks for the advice, everyone! I’ll let you know what happens.

[wingercom4th]

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Sounds like a solid plan. Don’t back down unless they show you something legit. These HOAs love to test the waters (no pun intended)! Good luck!

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