Portable Basketball Hoops

Does anyone have a policy on using portable basketball hoops in their develoment? We would like to come up with a policy to allow basketball hoops to remail close to the homes when not actively using the basketball hoop and not in the road as it my poses a potential hazard or if they are not planning on using it during the winter it it should be relocated and store in the back yard.

Placing these hoops or anything else on the sidewalk is a violation of our county ordinances, which prohibit blocking a public right-of-way. Typically, a friendly reminder is first sent. However, if not corrected quickly, the county is contacted. As a result, we do not have any requirement within our covenants to address this.

Per our county an state law nothing can obstruct the public sidewalk or roadway. We allow the basketball hoops in the driveways, or on the apron but nowhere else.If we find them to be an obstruction we send a 'friendly reminder'. If they do not comply we contact the town (who issues a $75 fine).

I'm happy to have found someone discussing this. I have the neighbor from hell (preferred weapon of choice is a Jeep Cherokee Laredo SUV...) who installed a basketball hoop on a paved area (shoulder of the road) on the border between our houses. It is loud and just very annoying. Our HOA president had added rules 1 year ago (when he took over the HOA) to the HOA rules (not the CC&R) that "basketball hoops are allowed but must be brought in when not in use". Recently he held a election (by email... which I think is a crock) to make it "legal" to keep them in the street all year around. Basically this has resulted in our streets being used as a playground - and many more to be erected soon I'm sure. It makes it difficult to back out of my driveway and to navigate some of the streets (for example cars parked on the street on one side - kids playing in the street on the other). So now basketball hoops are allowed on the shoulder/street area of properties - so our HOA president says. Is there any language in my CC&R or county zoning laws I should look at that might help me fight this.

Note - while the basketball hoop is on the shoulder (which is my neighbors property - but with egress rights), the hoop itself hangs over the community street.

Also - I'm going to repost this in a separate thread.

Our HOA allows hoops, but only if placed behind the front corner of the front of the home. The precludes placement in most driveways.

A large section of our community is composed of single-family homes with front driveways. Most of these homes have 3-4 bedrooms and families with young children. As a nod to some families' wish to have basketball hoops, the HOA established a policy on hoops that essentially waived the placement requirement, but only for a certain timeframe (Easter to Halloween, as I recall). Not a single family applied for the waiver but instead defied the HOA's covenants.

As a result of several homeowners' objections to the waiver policy, it was rescinded. Attempts at enforcing the covenant item on basketball hoops have been only partially successful: 2 families continue to defy the rule.

Do other HOAs pay for some kind of service to have b-ball hoops removed? But where would they be taken? My first thought was to donate them.

Wardell, this is from an HOA in WA:

Basketball Hoop Restrictions:

Permanent basketball hoops and courts may be located and used only in owners' back or side yards, subject to ACC approval, and should not be visible from the street or create an unsightly nuisance for neighbors. Portable basketball hoops may be used in front yards only on owners' driveways, subject to restrictions described below. The presence of a sloping driveway does not waive or limit this restriction. To prevent unsightly conditions, portable basketball hoops should be stored out of sight from the street when not currently in use. If moving the hoop for storage between uses is impractical, then it may be left in place, but only as described below. Hoops must not be used on or block common areas, sidewalks, or streets. The county will not clean or maintain streets if they are blocked. Problems with street blockage should be reported to Snohomish County Public Works Department at 425-388-6408.

* Portable basketball hoops may be placed in an owner's front yard, but only in an inconspicuous location on the owner's own lot, adjacent to and facing the driveway, and at least six feet back from County sidewalks.

* Visible hoops must be mechanically sound, clean, and well maintained. Owners may not permit visible hoops to become an unsafe or unsightly nuisance, and the Board in its sole judgment may require the removal of such hoops.

* Hoops, players, or balls must not be permitted to damage surrounding landscape, structures, vehicles, or signage in common areas or other owners' property.

* For safety reasons, hoops may not be positioned to encourage playing on a sidewalk, on neighbors' property, or in a street.

* Hoops are permitted in common areas only with prior written permission from the Association. Unauthorized hoops are subject to removal and disposal by the Association, with costs charged to owners.

* Non-portable hoops, like any other exterior change, are subject to advance written approval of the Architectural Control Committee. Hoops erected without prior approval might not be approved by the ACC; homeowners could be required to remove unapproved hoops, and may be subject to fines.

Good catch Tim. Who knows it might have been the policy that Wardell came up with that I posted.

Promoting healthier kids on our community's maybe building basketball courts and tennis courts should be included in all new developments of HOA community's on the common area's??? are re-deed on a new deed restrictions to reflect that no Lot owner shall have any form of basketball poles, hoops of any kinds all HOA members will utilize the courts provided on community property's.

Our community we have them on both sides of the streets, the kids just places them sideways on the land between the sidewalks and the curb when done getting healthy exercises and are always watching for cars and are respectful. fact imam buying one this week to place on the curb side next spring for my grand kids enjoyment and exercise. and get that HOA to street sweep my area also for the safety of our community children's on bikes.

Oh Ghad'ss we've be duped again.