Scottsdale homeowner battles with HOA after being threatened with $50 daily fines for having a dusty Toyota parked in driveway, he argues that Arizona dust and outdoor lifestyle hobbies don’t violate community rules: 'Kept clean or move into the garage

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Nov 14, 2025 7:00 AM EST

Listen, we wouldn't say a dirty, dust-covered car is the most pleasant visual we've ever seen, but it happens…Cars can get dirty, scratched, ruined, or rear-ended, and if you wanted to keep your cars in 100% mint condition, we recommend not leaving your driveways. We're not saying that you shouldn't treat your cars with care and respect, we're saying that we have zero control over what happens to the cars around us…So should someone get a say in how those cars are maintained? 

Well, this HOA member would say yes, most certainly! A point he's proven countless times in an attempt to battle a resident. This homeowner has many outdoor hobbies, and as a result of many adventurous weekends away, he finds his car somewhat covered in filthy dust, but hey, it's his car, and it's Arizona, sooo…Yet, one HOA member seems to have a major issue with the 'eye-sore' it creates in the neighborhood, threatening to send daily fines if the car is not scrubbed spotless or hidden in the garage. The thing is…the car is on his property, and nowhere in the HOA rulebook does it specify how 'shiny' one's vehicle should look. So does this HOA member pose a threat, or is he simply all talk?  

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  • Every person takes care of their belongings differently, and realistically,  no one wants to live across from a busted old vehicle. But if they wanted the car moved, perhaps they could have approached this resident with a polite request, instead of a solid demand, maybe then he would've been more agreeable. Then again, just because the HOA member drives a spotless, hand-clean Mercedes, doesn't mean he has to.

  • Car driving through dust
    via akaratwimages

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

  • HOA is threatening to fine me because my car is "too dirty" and makes the neighborhood look bad

    I've lived in this townhouse community in Scottsdale for two years. HOA has typical rules about visible vehicles must be - registered, insured, operational, no commercial lettering, etc.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • I drive a 2019 white Toyota 4Runner. Use it for weekend camping and hiking trips because I'm outdoors constantly.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • It gets dusty. It's Arizona, everything gets dusty. Last week I got a violation notice saying my vehicle is "excessively dirty and creates an eyesore that diminishes community aesthetic standards." They're demanding I either keep it "presentably clean" or park it in my garage instead of my driveway.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • Here's the problem: My garage is full of camping gear, bikes, and I use it as a home gym since I work remotely.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • There's no space for the car. That's why I park in my driveway, which is literally what driveways are for.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • Two male neighbors arguing over the fence
    via africa-images

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

  • I washed the car. Three days later it's dusty again because we're in the middle of dust storm season and I drove to Sedona for the weekend.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • Got another violation notice. This one says I've been "non- compliant" and if my vehicle isn't kept clean or moved to the garage within 14 days, I'll face $50 daily fines.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • I asked them to show me where in the HOA rules it specifies how often vehicles must be washed.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • They cited the "general aesthetic standards" clause that says properties must be "well- maintained and visually appealing." I pointed out that a dusty car isn't unmaintained, it's literally just dusty from existing in Arizona.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • They said other residents have complained it looks "neglected." My car is two years old, fully functional, legally parked in my own driveway.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • It's just not shiny. They suggested I either wash it twice a week or "invest in a car cover" for when it's parked.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • I'm not covering my car like it's a damn classic Corvette. It's a 4Runner I use for camping.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • The HOA president drives a spotless black Mercedes that he clearly garage-parks and probably hand- washes daily.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • A man hand-cleaning his car
    via arturmarciniecphotos

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

  • Pretty sure this is just him imposing his car standards on everyone else. I'm not rehoming my car and I'm not washing it twice a week to appease someone's obsession with shiny vehicles.
    via Patient-Umpire-9257
  • deliriousfoodie I heard Arizona is notorious for entitled HOA Karens.
    via deliriousfoodie
  • Excellent_Squirrel86 Where in your rules does it say your car must be in pristine condition? Ask them to show you. And then drive around the neighborhood taking pictures of other dusty cars and demand they be fined. Guaranteed to cause a neighborhood revolt.
    via Excellent_Squirrel86
  • messy372- Bc having a car cover over it looks much more sophisticated than just sitting in the driveway
    via messy372-
  • ranger052 Welcome to the HOA life!
    via ranger052
  • thatguyfuturama1 Probably should get with an attourney about this. If it's not clearly outlined in the bylaws. then it may not be enforceable. They will try and put a lein on your property if you don't pay | bet...especially if you decide to sell.
    via thatguyfuturama1
  • Brassrain287 40 foot ham radio antenna incoming.
    via Brassrain287

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Tags

car-cover hoa dusty drama neighborhood car driveway complaints neighborhood-drama fines hoa-fees dirty homeowners association fees aesthetic arizona conflict
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