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> Yet this very simple, very desirable concept is illegal in the US except for a few tiny islands. I don't see how it can be illegal? HOAs have extreme power

by jjav 4y ago

> Yet this very simple, very desirable concept is illegal in the US except for a few tiny islands. I don't see how it can be illegal? HOAs have extreme power and already impose all kinds of overbearing rules on people subject to them. So you could surely get together with a few hundred likeminded people and build a neighborhood where the HOA prohibits cars.

epistasis 4y ago
City and county laws still override HOA rules. And every city and county has minimum parking for businesses, setbacks, and mandated access by cars. You might be able to build a tiny little enclosed block, but you couldn't also have business there too because of zoning.
jackson1442 4y ago
Minimum parking requirements are very common in the US. You would also still need some roads for emergency services.
stetrain 4y ago
Zoning law in large parts of this country is designed around single family homes, non-walkable suburban layouts, complete separation of residential and commercial development, and minimum parking requirements at businesses. Interestingly, places that are dense and friendly to walking and bicycling are actually extremely popular with home buyers and renters. These places have seen prices and demand skyrocket, yet building more of them is often against zoning or other planning guidelines. It's starting to change, many places are starting to convert to denser and mixed-used zoning and remove minimum parking requirements, but it seems to be happening slower than market demand.
xputer 4y ago
Oh boy you are in for a treat. Google parking minimums and single family zoning. And watch some videos from this channel: https://youtu.be/bnKIVX968PQ https://youtu.be/bnKIVX968PQ
- jjav 4y ago
  Agreed, but that's an increase in scope of the requirements/desires. I still think it'd be possible to build a neighborhood where the HOA bans driving cars. Yes, it'll still need roads for emergency access (which you'd want anyway, fire trucks and ambulances do need to get in when needed). If there are minimum parking space rules in the area that's a bit annoying but shouldn't be a showstopper. Just because the parking needs to be present doesn't mean it needs to be used for that purpose, so the HOA can still ban cars. You can then use that driveway for projects, play space, etc.

by jjav 4y ago

epistasis 4y ago

City and county laws still override HOA rules. And every city and county has minimum parking for businesses, setbacks, and mandated access by cars. You might be able to build a tiny little enclosed block, but you couldn't also have business there too because of zoning.

jackson1442 4y ago

Minimum parking requirements are very common in the US. You would also still need some roads for emergency services.

stetrain 4y ago

Zoning law in large parts of this country is designed around single family homes, non-walkable suburban layouts, complete separation of residential and commercial development, and minimum parking requirements at businesses. Interestingly, places that are dense and friendly to walking and bicycling are actually extremely popular with home buyers and renters. These places have seen prices and demand skyrocket, yet building more of them is often against zoning or other planning guidelines. It's starting to change, many places are starting to convert to denser and mixed-used zoning and remove minimum parking requirements, but it seems to be happening slower than market demand.

xputer 4y ago

Oh boy you are in for a treat. Google parking minimums and single family zoning. And watch some videos from this channel: https://youtu.be/bnKIVX968PQ https://youtu.be/bnKIVX968PQ

jjav 4y ago
Agreed, but that's an increase in scope of the requirements/desires. I still think it'd be possible to build a neighborhood where the HOA bans driving cars. Yes, it'll still need roads for emergency access (which you'd want anyway, fire trucks and ambulances do need to get in when needed). If there are minimum parking space rules in the area that's a bit annoying but shouldn't be a showstopper. Just because the parking needs to be present doesn't mean it needs to be used for that purpose, so the HOA can still ban cars. You can then use that driveway for projects, play space, etc.