Which is more important to follow, HOA bylaws or state law? I would think the state law would be more important, but the HOA president in this story would probably disagree.

The problem involves a volunteer firefighter who is supposed to activate his lights and sirens when responding to a call, but the HOA quiet hours prohibit loud noises at night.

Now, the firefighter is wondering if the HOA president really can fine him for using his sirens.

Let’s read the whole story.

[Ohio] New HOA President is threatening me for following state law (I think?)

So I am a volunteer firefighter in the state of Ohio.

I live in an area on the edge of town which is owned (I think thats the right word?) by a HOA.

Now as a volunteer firefighter, I am authorised by state law and my chief to run lights and sirens to calls and the station.

As far as I am aware from the class I took (this was several years ago), state law requires me to be using sirens whenever my emergency lights are on.

But the HOA has a rule that makes following state law a little tricky.

The HOA by-laws prohibit loud noise between 10pm and 6am Mon-Sat and 9pm to 8am Sunday.

It also prohibits ‘overly loud vehicles’.

Luckily, our previous president was awesome about my role and we came to an agreement that if I was called out i would activate my lights and sirens as I left the HOA area, which was at the main road (less than a block form my house).

He also said he would see about getting an exemption for people like me into the by-laws, but as far as I am aware that never happened.

But there’s a new HOA president.

A month ago a new HOA president was elected after the old one moved away.

Since then he has been enforcing the by-laws with a passion.

Up until now I haven’t had a problem by following my previous agreement with the former president, but on Sunday at about 6 am a cardiac arrest was toned out at the address of one of our former volunteer chiefs (an awesome and highly respected guy, but thats not really relevant).

As you can imagine, EVERYONE responded to that, including me.

The HOA president seems heartless!

I also had a moment of forgetfulness and put my lights and sirens on from my driveway and hauled butt through our 25mph zone to get out to the main road.

Unfortunately this goes straight past our new presidents house on the edge of the HOA area.

When I returned from the call I was in a bit of a state as unfortunately we were unable to revive our former chief.

I was met by the president who handed me notice of fines for violating the quiet hours, having an overly loud vehicle and speeding.

But can the HOA president actually fine him?

As you can imagine, I was not happy, and to be honest I got a bit aggressive with him and told him where he could shove it.

In response to this he said if he saw my vehicle out he would clamp it for being in violation of the noise by-law and then after 24-hours it would be towed. He also said he would send the fines to collections.

My question is can he do any of this since I am just following state law? Also If he interferes with my vehicle while I am on call and I need to go quickly, is he obstructing emergency services?

I did ask my chief about this and he said he would get back to me but I am worried he may do it as soon as today.

I would assume following the state law is more important than following the HOA bylaws.

Let’s see how Reddit responded.

This person thinks OP needs to doublecheck the law.

Another person thinks he should’ve waited to turn on his lights and sirens.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a disabled woman who confronts her neighbors about using her spot, only to have them tell her they can park where they want.

Someone who works for an HOA management company offers advice.

He really should’ve waited to turn on his lights and sirens, but he was stressed out and responding to an emergency. Should he pay the fine, or is the HOA president completely heartless?

I think he should follow the advice in the last comment. Maybe the fine will go away.

He had a tough night. The HOA president made it even worse.

How awful!