Condo resident reports "theatrical" HOA to fire marshal, after blocking essential accessibility ramp with holiday decor, gets the display removed causing backlash from the board: 'Accessibility is not optional or decorative'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Sep 17, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Is HOA our best friend or worst enemy? Well, in this case, it's too busy hanging up Christmas decorations to have time to be either…So when this condo owner notices their building's entrance to the wheelchair ramp is blocked off by an obnoxiously shiny Christmas structure, he is no longer feeling in the Christmas spirit! So he decides to file a complaint against the HOA to the fire marshal for 'potential safety risk.' The decorations were taken down the following week, and let's just say, this owner was no longer the HOA's most beloved resident! 

They preach, 'Community Spirit!', whilst happily making their disabled home-owners/renters feel isolated from the rest of the community. There is plenty of space to hang bell decorations and plant pine trees. So while doing so, try to avoid putting stress or strain on other equally important residents, so everyone can enjoy the holidays together. Even if that means getting a few pouting faces from members of the board. 

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  • Maybe this resident will face some backlash from the board, but that is worth making someone who perhaps feared speaking up, feel comfortable in their own community. Sometimes life puts us into some uncomfortable situations and covers it up with a big red bow, but it is our responsibility to speak our minds when it comes to defending something we believe in!


     

  • 01
    HOA meeting
    via gettysignature

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for reporting our homeowners’ association to the fire marshal after they blocked the only accessible exit ramp to make room for a holiday display?

    I live in a condo with a very theatrical HOA. They love big seasonal displays with foam snow and archways.
    via bubblepearz
  • 03
    This year they covered the only accessible exit ramp. They said the stairs were fine for everyone.
    via bubblepearz
  • 04
    I pointed at the ramp and just stared. A neighbor who uses a mobility scooter looked worried.
    via bubblepearz
  • 05
    The HOA waved it off as temporary. I checked our building plan and safety map. The ramp is a designated egress path.
    via bubblepearz
  • 06
    My brain started buzzing hard. I emailed the board and asked for removal. They replied with a cheerful newsletter.
    via bubblepearz
  • 07
    They thanked volunteers and ignored the ramp part. I started feeling complicit by silence. My partner said this looked risky.
    via bubblepearz
  • 08
    Imagine a fire alarm and chaos. So took photos and called the non emergency line and asked for guidance.
    via bubblepearz
  • 09
    They sent me to the fire marshal office. I filed a simple report with details. The display came down the next week.
    via bubblepearz
  • 10
    Decorated wheelchair ramp
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    The board got mad at me and doesn't seem to understand an actual point that has a sense more than that display.
    via bubblepearz
  • 12
    Why are people like this? Why is community spirit always used as a shield for reckless decisions?
    via bubblepearz
  • 13
    Accessibility is not optional or decorative. It blows my mind how many adults cannot grasp this basic truth.
    via bubblepearz
  • 14
    smileycat007 ΝΤΑ You did the right thing. It might not only be residents using the space. They might have family or guests using it who need the ramp.
    via smileycat007
  • 15
    Redsquirreltree Not only were you NTA, you are the hero.
    via Redsquirreltree
  • 16
    spaceylaceygirl You should have the HOA lawyers explain what the lawsuit will cost when they get sued if someone gets. harmed.
    via spaceylaceygirl
  • 17
    pigandpom How on earth would you ever be the AH here, very much NTA. This was a safety issue and a big accessibility issue for some of your neighbours. Hopefully they won't ever do it again
    via pigandpom
  • 18
    Christmas tree
    via danflcreativo

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    username 0000 NTA for all the reasons others have mentioned. But snow? In September? Was it a Xmas display is September, over 3 months from Xmas when Xmas already spills into January? No. Just NO!
    via username_0000
  • 20
    naranghim They don't understand that their definition of "temporary" isn't the same definition that everyone else with an ounce of common sense would use when it comes to blocking an exit path. "Temporarily" blocking an exit means it will be blocked for less than five minutes not for a few weeks or more.
    via naranghim
  • 21
    Emotional_Fan_7011 NTA! You absolutely did the right thing. They can adjust their decor to not block accessible pathways.
    via Emotional_Fan_7011
  • 22
    Vaheesan-Rahoof If someone had been trapped in an emergency, the HOA wouldn't be talking about 'community spirit', they'd be talking to lawyers
    via Vaheesan-Rahoof
  • 23
    HeraldOfTheChange Next time go straight to the non- emergency line. You opened yourself up to retaliation by voicing your concerns. You are 100% correct in your actions regardless.
    via HeraldOfTheChange

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christmas failblog hoa neighbors accessible temporary neighborhood in the way askreddit disabled fire marshall christmas-decor complaint wheelchair ramp blocked Reddit
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