Every parent knows the morning bus stop routine. Some wait in the car, some stand with their kids, others watch from the porch. In one Utah neighborhood, however, even that small act of supervision has become a fight with the homeowners association. One unidentified homeowner explained how his HOA sent out a letter banning parents from waiting with children at the bus stop, whether standing or parked. The rule framed adults as “loitering” near mailboxes and insisted it made residents uncomfortable. The HOA doubled down with this reassurance: “Our neighborhood is safe, so you should feel safe leaving your kids at the bus stop.” That logic didn’t sit well with the homeowner whose house sits next to the bus stop. In his social media post, he spelled it out plainly: "Less adult supervision doesn’t solve problems with kids, it invites more of them." He also pointed out that the HOA’s version of “safe” is questionable at best. He reminded the HOA of a recent event that culminated in a 6-hour armed standoff with a perpetrator that resulted in the offender being placed on house arrest. To add insult to injury, the HOA president himself has a criminal record. The homeowner even suggested a remedy: If the HOA wants parents gone from the bus stop, he will just invite everyone into his yard instead. That would mean they are guests of the homeowner and not considered “loitering.” The HOA contacted the homeowner, asking him to take his social media post down, but he refused. So, does the HOA have the right to enforce a rule like this? The answer is no. HOAs can regulate common areas and enforce rules that are written into their Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, but when it comes to public roads and sidewalks, including public bus stops, they have no jurisdiction. The fight continues, as the HOA will not back down and neither will the parents.
