By Caitlin McGlade | The Arizona Republic
A more than 5-year-old battle to strip homeowners associations of their authority to make and enforce parking rules on public streets has succeeded — at least in part.
Gov. Jan Brewer this month signed a bill that forbids future HOAs from regulating public streets. Some hail the new law as a victory for homeowner rights. Others decry it as weakening HOAs’ ability to keep up appearances.
Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, sponsored the measure after three unsuccessful attempts. Driven by hundreds of constituent complaints, she said she was determined to keep trying until she got the job done. The calls and e-mails of support amplified each time she introduced legislation on the matter, she said. Frustrated residents warned or continuously fined by HOAs for parking in front of their own homes found themselves in a bind, particularly if they had children driving different vehicles, Barto said.
Former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, began paving the way as early as 2007 when he sponsored a bill that would have blocked HOA authority over public roadways. The Senate passed the bill, but the House never voted on it.
