When HOA Rules Go Too Far: A Shreveport/Bossier Warning for Homebuyers

If you happen to live in one of the newer suburbs of Shreveport/Bossier, it's likely you've agreed to a certain number of "covenants" outlined by the neighborhood's Homeowner's Association.

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Thirty years ago, while living in Blanchard, my neighborhood required residents to adhere to these covenants, and for the most part, I had no issue.

What's The Actual Purpose Of A Homeowner's Association?

According to mckeehomesnc.com, "HOAs and POAs are private associations that oversee and manage neighborhood common areas and amenities as well as insuring property owners obey the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs), Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and any other governing documents."

Essentially, their purpose is to insure the esthetic integrity of the neighborhood and protect the property value for all of its residents.

In Most Instances, Homeowner's Associations Do A Fantastic Job For Neighbors

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They strive to make sure all properties are properly maintained and kept from being unsightly with abandoned vehicles on blocks in the front yard or grass that hasn't been mowed in months. The problems with these issues are easily understood.

However, it would seem that the leadership of some of these organizations was always the last one picked for the kickball team as a kid, and now that they are the "captain of the team" they have revenge on the brain.

Some Have Called Their HOA "The Worst Form Of Small Government Ever"

Some have referred to a few of these as the "worst form of small government ever."  Don't get me wrong though. The majority of these are run extremely well and have few, if any, disagreements from their members.

There are the exceptions though that truly prove the rule.  I was just informed of one subdivision in Bossier that dictates exactly what part of a yard and home can be decorated with Christmas lights and the dates for which they can be displayed.

READ MORE: Louisiana's Ten Wealthiest Parishes in 2026

In Auburn, California, one HOA required residents to keep their garage doors entirely open between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm to prevent the space from being used illegally as an apartment or general rental

Many HOA agreements require all blinds and window treatments to face the street with a plain white or neutral color, completely overriding the homeowner's personal interior design preferences.

Just How Bad Can The HOA Covenants Be? One In Bossier Was Among Worst

In one Bossier Parish subdivision, members are told exactly how tall or how low their lawns can be mowed. Some go a step further and only allow specific lawn companies to maintain member yards.

A few other Shreveport/Bossier subdivisions tell homeowners exactly what kind of light bulb they can use in their yard lights.  These yard lights are what were referred to as "gas lights" in former times.  Though most are electric now, they are the approximately 6 feet tall and located in the front lawns of scores of homes.

But to see how bad things can get, we have to go back 15 years, to 2011, when a Bossier City family was sued by their HOA because of a sign they put up in honor of their son who had been deployed to Afghanistan. KSLA reported the sign in this family's lawn was simply a picture of the young marine with the words " Our son defends our freedom."   The covenant for this subdivision severely restricted yard and window signage and the HOA's contention was that this sign was outside those restrictions.

After a national outcry of the overreach by the HOA, the family was allowed to keep the sign up until their son returned home.

So, can it get bad with an HOA?  Not always, but it obviously can.  You'll certainly want to go over those HOA covenants and consider the negatives before you purchase that new home.