Homeowners’ Rights in Planned Communities: The Grass Isn’t Always Greener

The Arizona Legislature, in the current legislative session, has expanded homeowners’ rights in planned communities to include the right to install artificial turf in the same manner that natural grass would be allowed by the community documents, commonly known as the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions).

With certain limited exceptions, a homeowners association may not prohibit installing or using artificial turf on any member’s property.  This new law will affect thousands of homeowners living in planned communities across the state of Arizona.

Under Arizona law, a homeowners association already could not prohibit certain activities within the planned community governed by it, including generally display of the American or Arizona flag, display of political signs before and after an election, display of a for sale sign on the member’s property, and installation or use of solar energy devices.  The new artificial grass law, which will take effect 91 days after the current legislative session ends (on or around June 24, 2022), will be added to this list of homeowners’ rights.