A COUPLE had to fork out a hefty $165,000 fine after having some work done to their yard.
Darin and Carilyn Kruse, residents of Pismo Beach, California, found themselves in a situation where they had to bear a penalty for work carried out on their private property.
They had their yard graded, but didn’t follow the required steps, as reported by Cal Coast News.
Grading is where slopes are adjusted so water flows away from homes.
One of the biggest benefits of grading is that it helps protect a home’s foundations.
But, the Kruses did not have the required permit to complete the yard improvement works.
And, officials claimed their actions damaged the habitat of the rare Pismo Clarkia plant.
The Pismo Clarkia plant tends to grow in sandy hills and can reach as high as two feet.
It is incredibly rare as it’s only found in 24 sites around the world.
And, all 24 are located within San Luis Obispo County, which is located in central California.
The colors of its petals are pink and the plant blooms in the spring and summer.
And it is a rare and endangered flower that is native to California.
Dan Dow, the district attorney of San Luis Obispo, emphasized the importance of preserving the Pismo Clarkia, a special treasure of San Luis Obispo County, for the benefit of future generations.
The Kruses paid the penalty after they fell foul of the environmental laws.
They are banned from breaching any other grading laws as part of the agreed settlement.
Dow warned that officials will “vigorously” uphold local environment laws.
And, he warned that homeowners have to get the necessary permits before completing work.
HOMEOWNER DISPUTES
The Kruses are not the only homeowners who have been fined over their yards.
In November last year, chiropractor Richard Gillich was slapped with penalties totaling $200,000 over the state of his yard.
Gillich, from Danbury, Connecticut, was locked in the dispute for seven years before the penalty was leveled against him.
He was first issued with a court order in 2017 before an army of dump trucks arrived outside his home years later.
He blasted city chiefs after claiming personal belongings were taken away, as reported by the outlet The News-Times.
Homeowners have also told how they’ve been locked in disputes with their local homeowner associations.
Tom Campbell, of North Carolina, was left bewildered after being hit with daily $100 fines over a message in his truck’s sunshade.
A story covered by The U.S. Sun highlighted how residents of a neighborhood in Florida were taken aback upon receiving a notification stating they were required to pay $60,000 as a special assessment on their properties.
What is an HOA?
One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners’ Association – or HOA. But what exactly is it that they do?
- An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents.
- Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA.
- They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees.
- Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values.
- They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways.
- Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds.
- An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
- Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
- HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power.
- But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.
