Homeowner puts 7-foot-tall blow-up sphere in their front yard, complete with mermaid, after overzealous HOA strictly enforces their "one decoration" policy: 'I received no less than 6 letters in 2 days about how inappropriate [...] my "decoration" was'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Oct 13, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

A homeowner gave their HOA an orb to ponder through their humorous adherence to a strict rule that allowed just one "decoration" per property, erecting a 7-foot-tall blow-up sphere with an inflatable mermaid inside in their front yard.

When you're facing down an authority that is strictly enforcing the pettiest of rules, sometimes the only thing that you can do is steer into the slide and just go along with it. Choosing to adhere to the rule so hard that it causes the entire system to short-circuit.

Any situation where you have an overly rigid enforcement of rules, whatever authority is enforcing those rules is practically begging to have its flaws exposed. A little bit of humor, levity, and creativity goes a long way in highlighting the ridiculousness of everything without getting down in the mud with them where they expect you to lie.

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  • 01
    An inflatable mermaid floats inside a blow-up sphere in the front yard of a home
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • That's exactly what this homeowner did when their HOA pulled them up for technically having two "decorations" in their front yard when they put two chairs out on their front porch to enjoy the pleasant evenings. The jury's out on whether a piece of furniture really counts as a decoration at all (it doesn't), but these busybody HOA members were determined to micromanage the homeowners within their petty reign into madness.

  • 02

    "Only one front lawn decoration allowed? You got it."

    One of my many HOA stories when I regrettably was a member for the longest 2 years of my life was regarding decorations. All of our homes had a porch and
    via parodytx
  • 03
    rules regarding front of house "decorations" - the R&R said you could only have one decoration. Fine. I had no desire for any decorations at all in my front lawn.
    via parodytx
  • 04
    We DID put 2 nice chairs on our porch to use on pleasant evenings with a sunset potential. We received a notice regarding our "violation"
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  • 05
    of having "two decorations in front of our house and the R&R only allowed one, and we had 24 hours to comply." A|||||||||||||||||||righty then.
    via parodytx
  • 06
    I removed both chairs from the porch. I searched for hours online for the most obnoxious decoration I could find - because the R&R made absolutely NO mention of WHAT the decoration could or could
    via parodytx
  • 07
    not be, only that you could only have one item. I ended up with an at least 7 foot tall blow up sphere, with an obnoxious nekkid mermaid-like thing floating inside it, flapping like one of those wind-man devices at a car dealer.
    via parodytx
  • 08
    I also posted a small sign stating "Surveillance Camera in Operation. SMILE!" to curb any vandalism ideas.
    via parodytx
  • 09
    The HOA BOD went absolutely NUTS. I received no less than 6 letters in 2 days about how inappropriate, vile and other various adjectives my "decoration" was, and
    via parodytx
  • 10
    that I was obliged to remove it. I responded with a certified return receipt letter with the appropriate section of the R&R highlighted and invited them to return mail with the exact language that my decoration was in
    via parodytx
  • 11
    violation of, and failure to do so with continuing violation notices would result in legal action on my part against all the BOD members.
    via parodytx
  • 12
    This went on for about a month, and finally my lawyer buddy sent them at threatening notice on their letterhead stating that depositions and full financial disclosures from each and every member
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  • 13
    would be demanded for discovery purposes in my damages lawsuit unless I received an acknowledgement of their errors and a formal apology.
    via parodytx
  • 14
    They waffled for about a week then caved. Got a written apology published in the HOA newsletter signed by all the BOD members.
    via parodytx
  • 15
    The next HOA meeting resulted in a rules change that porches were excluded from the decorations restrictions, and that all lawn decorations needed to be smaller than 4 feet in height.
    via parodytx
  • 16
    Many of the homeowners came to thank me for my resistance and results. Like I said, moved after 2 years for my job and never considered an HOA since - every realtor we worked with that was absolute no- way rule #1.
    via parodytx
  • 17
    An aerial photograph of a large rural home
    via Clay Banks For Unsplash+

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

  • 18
    puppyk Did you keep the sphere up? as it was grandfathered in
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  • 19
    Star_witne... I'm just flabbergasted that they would consider two chairs for the front porch to be considered "decorations."
    via parodytx
  • 20
    Folks who love HOAs say to just follow the rules, and if you don't like them, "Get involved! Go to the meetings! Get on the Board!" as if all that
    via parodytx
  • 21
    isn't a pain in the rear. But the issue really isn't the rules - it's how somebody is going to choose to interpret them, such as OP's chairs.
    via parodytx
  • 22
    missginger... Anyone else who finds themselves in this situation my recommendation is: a drink or snack vending machine... I was in an apartment and they got mad at my wicker love seat,
    via parodytx
  • 23
    said it wasn't "outdoor" so I found a vending machine and its manual that specifically talked about outdoor installation... so it went on my porch and they complained
    via parodytx
  • 24
    so much but couldn't do anything as 1) it wasn't public accessible (3rd floor) 2) it was functional 3) it was installed "outdoor" kept it there for the rest of the two years I was there... set to free vend my friends loved it when they came over...
    via parodytx
  • 25
    useyerbigv... Bravo!! Love the scorched earth solution!Lived with an HOA for 45 years, served on the board twice trying to bring about change, finally escaped! NEVER, EVER AGAIN.
    via parodytx

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