David & Brenda Norman v. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1919051-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-05-28
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner David and Brenda Norman Counsel
Respondent Rancho Del Lago Community Association Counsel Ashley N. Moscarello

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) / Common Project Guidelines § 3.11(D)(1)

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition filed by David and Brenda Norman against Rancho Del Lago Community Association, finding that the Department of Real Estate did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute, as it was essentially a conflict between neighboring owners (Petitioners and Hendersons) regarding a wall.

Why this result: The Department lacked jurisdiction over the dispute among or between owners, per A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Key Issues & Findings

Alleged violation by HOA approving a block wall built by neighbors (Hendersons)

Petitioners alleged that Respondent HOA violated CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) by approving a block wall built by their next-door neighbors, the Hendersons, and requested the Department require the Hendersons to permit Petitioners to connect to the wall or require the Hendersons to tear the wall down.

Orders: The petition was dismissed because the Department lacked jurisdiction to hear a dispute primarily among or between owners to which the association is not a party, pursuant to A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

Analytics Highlights

Topics: Jurisdiction, HOA Governance, Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Party Wall, Neighbor Dispute, CC&Rs
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1919051-REL Decision – 710478.pdf

Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:34:10 (150.0 KB)

19F-H1919051-REL Decision – 711115.pdf

Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:34:10 (149.9 KB)





Briefing Doc – 19F-H1919051-REL


Case Briefing: Norman v. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

Executive Summary

This briefing document provides a comprehensive analysis of the Administrative Law Judge Decision in case number 19F-H1919051-REL, involving homeowners David and Brenda Norman (Petitioners) and the Rancho Del Lago Community Association (Respondent). The core of the dispute centers on the Petitioners’ allegation that the Respondent’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) violated community guidelines by approving a wall built by the Petitioners’ neighbors, the Hendersons.

The Petitioners claimed the Henderson’s wall, constructed 6 inches inside the property line, created a situation where any wall they might build on their property would be a “closely parallel wall,” which is prohibited by the community’s Common Project Guidelines § 3.11(D)(1). They requested that the Respondent either force the Hendersons to allow the Petitioners to connect to their wall, effectively making it a shared “party wall,” or compel the Hendersons to demolish it.

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition entirely. The primary legal basis for the dismissal was a lack of jurisdiction; under Arizona statute A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1), the Arizona Department of Real Estate cannot hear disputes solely between homeowners in which the association is not a party. The judge concluded this was fundamentally a neighbor-versus-neighbor conflict. Furthermore, the judge characterized the wall the Petitioners sought to build as an “archetypical spite fence” and noted that the Petitioners had failed to prove the Respondent had violated any community documents.

Case Overview

Parties and Key Entities

Name/Entity

Description

Petitioners

David and Brenda Norman

Homeowners in the Rancho Del Lago Community.

Respondent

Rancho Del Lago Community Association

The homeowners’ association (HOA) for the community.

Neighbors

The Hendersons

The Petitioners’ next-door neighbors who built the disputed wall.

Management Co.

Management Solutions

The company managing the Respondent HOA.

Witness (Respondent)

Spencer Brod

Employee of Management Solutions overseeing the Respondent’s affairs.

Administrative Law Judge

Diane Mihalsky

Presiding judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Regulating Body

Arizona Department of Real Estate

State agency authorized to hear certain HOA disputes.

Adjudicating Body

Office of Administrative Hearings

Independent state agency that conducted the evidentiary hearing.

Procedural Details

Detail

Information

Case Number

19F-H1919051-REL

Petition Filed

On or about February 28, 2019

Hearing Date

May 8, 2019

Amended Decision Date

May 28, 2019

Timeline of Key Events

December 2003: The Respondent’s ARC adopts the Common Project Guidelines, which govern all exterior improvements.

March 8, 2017: The Hendersons submit an Architectural Variance Request (AVR) to extend the common wall between their property and the Petitioners’. Mrs. Norman signs the request, giving consent. The ARC approves this request.

April 27, 2017: The Hendersons submit a new AVR to build a wall extension 6 inches inside their property line, making it a private wall rather than a shared party wall. The record suggests Mrs. Norman may have rescinded her earlier approval for the common wall.

May 10, 2017: The ARC approves the Hendersons’ request to build the wall 6 inches inside their property line.

September 5, 2017: The Petitioners submit an AVR to build an 11-foot wide concrete driveway. The ARC denies the request.

Post-September 5, 2017: Despite the denial, the Petitioners construct the 11-foot wide driveway and are subsequently issued a Notice of Violation by the Respondent.

September 7, 2017: The Petitioners submit an AVR to build a wall extension on their property, positioned at least 3 feet away from the Hendersons’ wall.

October 13, 2017: The ARC approves the Petitioners’ wall extension request.

Post-October 13, 2017: The Petitioners decide not to build the approved wall, stating their contractor advised them against “giving up” the 3 feet of property that would lie between the two walls.

By November 2017: The Hendersons’ wall appears to have been constructed.

February 28, 2019: The Petitioners file a petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate, alleging the Respondent violated community rules.

March 27, 2019: The Petitioners file a new AVR to build a wall directly on the property line. This request did not include the Hendersons’ required consent and was still pending at the time of the hearing.

Governing Documents and Key Provisions

The dispute and subsequent legal decision referenced several specific articles from the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and the Common Project Guidelines.

Document

Provision

Description

Article I § (p)

Defines “Party Walls” built on a property line, establishing equal right of use, joint responsibility for maintenance and repair, and a process for the Board to resolve disputes over construction or cost-sharing.

Article II § 2(a)

Requires prior written approval from the ARC for any improvements that alter the exterior appearance of a property.

Article XII § 1

Establishes the ARC, noting that its decisions are “sole, absolute and final on all matters submitted to it.”

Common Project Guidelines

Section 3.11(D)(1)

States that “Closely parallel walls shall be disapproved.” The term “closely parallel” is not defined in the guidelines. This provision was the central focus of the Petitioners’ complaint.

Common Project Guidelines

Section 4.21

Grants the ARC the right “to waive, vary, or otherwise modify any of the standards or procedures set forth herein at its discretion, for good cause shown.”

Summary of Testimony and Evidence

Testimony of Brenda Norman (Petitioner)

Motivation for Wall: Stated that she and her husband are in law enforcement and want to enclose their side yard to protect utility meters from potential vandalism.

Reason for Not Building Approved Wall: Explained that their contractor advised them it was “crazy to give up the 3’ of property” that would be inaccessible between their proposed wall and the Hendersons’ wall.

Relationship with Neighbors: Acknowledged that the Petitioners “do not get along very well with the Hendersons” and therefore never asked for their consent for a wall on the property line.

Belief Regarding Parallel Walls: Believes that if she submitted a plan for a wall just inside her property line, it would be denied under the “close parallel wall” rule.

Requested Action: Opined that the Respondent should force the Hendersons to tear down their wall because it is not uniformly 6 inches from the property line.

Testimony of Spencer Brod (for Respondent)

HOA Policy: Testified that the HOA “never gets involved in disputes between neighbors” and that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain neighbor consent for common wall projects.

Party vs. Private Walls: Explained that neighbor consent is required only for “party walls” on the property line due to shared maintenance liability. The Hendersons’ wall was approved because it was on their own property and therefore not a party wall.

Enforcement and Inspection: Admitted that the Hendersons’ wall may not be uniformly 6 inches from the line but stated the Respondent has no one to perform a “thorough inspection” and had not sent a violation letter.

“Closely Parallel Walls” Interpretation: Testified that while the term is undefined, the ARC’s approval of the Petitioners’ plan for a wall 3 feet away indicates that “closely parallel” means a distance of less than 3 feet.

Petitioners’ Unauthorized Construction: Confirmed that the Respondent sent the Petitioners a Notice of Violation for building a driveway that the ARC had explicitly denied.

Administrative Law Judge’s Conclusions of Law

The judge’s decision was based on a detailed analysis of the evidence, governing documents, and relevant state law.

1. Jurisdictional Failure: The primary reason for dismissal was a lack of jurisdiction. The judge cited A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1), which explicitly states, “The department does not have jurisdiction to hear [a]ny dispute among or between owners to which the association is not a party.” The judge determined this was a quintessential neighbor dispute, not a dispute with the HOA.

2. Failure to Meet Burden of Proof: The Petitioners bore the burden of proving by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the Respondent violated its own rules. The judge found they failed to do so.

3. Characterization as a “Spite Fence”: The decision describes the wall the Petitioners wish to build as an “archetypical spite fence between neighbors who cannot agree to mutually work for the improvement of their adjacent properties.”

4. HOA’s Limited Role: The judge affirmed that neither the CC&Rs nor the Common Project Guidelines compel the HOA to mediate or resolve disputes between neighbors by taking a side.

5. Distinction of Wall Types: The analysis distinguished between a party wall on a property line, which requires neighbor consent, and a private wall built entirely on one owner’s property, which does not. The Hendersons’ wall was approved as the latter.

6. Hypothetical Outcome: A concluding footnote in the decision states that even if the Department had jurisdiction, the Petitioners had not established that Guideline 3.11(D)(1) would authorize or require the Respondent to grant the relief they requested.

Final Order

IT IS ORDERED that the petition filed by David and Brenda Norman against the Respondent, Rancho Del Lago Community Association, is dismissed. The dismissal is based on the finding that the Arizona Department of Real Estate does not have jurisdiction to hear their dispute with the Hendersons.






Study Guide – 19F-H1919051-REL


Study Guide: Norman v. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

This guide is designed to review the administrative legal case between homeowners David and Brenda Norman and their homeowners’ association, the Rancho Del Lago Community Association, concerning a dispute over a neighbor’s wall.

——————————————————————————–

Short-Answer Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences, drawing only from the information provided in the case documents.

1. What was the central violation of the homeowners’ association rules alleged by the Petitioners in their February 28, 2019, petition?

2. Identify the three main groups of individuals or entities involved in the dispute: the Petitioners, the Respondent, and the neighbors.

3. According to the Respondent’s CC&Rs, what is a “Party Wall” and what primary responsibility does it create for adjacent homeowners?

4. Describe the two separate wall-related Architectural Variance Requests (AVRs) submitted by the Hendersons in March and April of 2017.

5. Why did the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) initially deny the Petitioners’ request to build a new driveway, and what was the outcome of this denial?

6. What is the role of the “Declarant” within the Rancho Del Lago Community Association, and what influence do they hold over the board and the ARC?

7. The ARC approved a wall proposal for the Petitioners on October 13, 2017. Why did the Petitioners choose not to build this approved wall?

8. According to the CC&Rs, what is the ultimate authority of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) in rendering its decisions?

9. On what legal grounds did the Administrative Law Judge ultimately dismiss the Petitioners’ case?

10. Who bore the “burden of proof” in this hearing, and what does this legal standard require?

——————————————————————————–

Quiz Answer Key

1. The Petitioners alleged that the Respondent (the homeowners’ association) violated Section 3.11(D)(1) of the Common Project Guidelines. This section states that “closely parallel walls shall be disapproved,” and the Petitioners argued that the association violated this rule by approving the wall built by their neighbors, the Hendersons.

2. The Petitioners were homeowners David and Brenda Norman. The Respondent was the Rancho Del Lago Community Association. The neighbors, who were central to the dispute but not a party to the case, were the Hendersons.

3. A “Party Wall” is a wall situated on the property line between two or more contiguous lots. It creates a shared right of use and a joint obligation for all adjoining owners to rebuild and repair the wall at their shared expense.

4. The Hendersons first submitted an AVR on March 8, 2017, to extend the existing common party wall, for which Mrs. Norman gave consent. On April 27, 2017, they submitted a different AVR to build a new wall located entirely on their property, 6 inches inside the property line, which did not require the Normans’ consent.

5. The ARC denied the Petitioners’ September 5, 2017, request for an 11-foot wide driveway because a driveway already existed on the opposite side of the house where the garage was located. Despite the denial, the Petitioners built the driveway anyway, which resulted in the Respondent issuing them a Notice of Violation.

6. The “Declarant” is the original developer that built the subdivision. At the time of the hearing, the Respondent association was still under the control of the Declarant, who appointed all three directors of the board and was also a member of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).

7. The Petitioners did not build the approved wall because the plan required it to be built at least 3 feet inside their property line to avoid being a party wall. Their contractor advised them they would be “crazy to give up the 3’ of property” that would lie between their new wall and the Hendersons’ wall.

8. According to Article XII, § 1 of the CC&Rs, “the decision of the [ARC] shall be sole, absolute and final on all matters submitted to it pursuant to this Declaration and/or the Design Guidelines.”

9. The judge dismissed the case due to a lack of jurisdiction. According to Arizona statute A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1), the Arizona Department of Real Estate does not have jurisdiction to hear disputes between owners to which the association is not a party. The judge framed the issue as a private dispute between the Normans and the Hendersons.

10. The Petitioners (the Normans) bore the burden of proof to establish that the Respondent violated the community rules. This standard, known as a “preponderance of the evidence,” requires presenting evidence that is more convincing and more likely true than not.

——————————————————————————–

Essay Questions

Instructions: The following questions are designed to test a deeper, more analytical understanding of the case. Formulate a comprehensive response to each prompt, citing specific facts and rules from the case documents to support your arguments.

1. Analyze the concept of a “Party Wall” versus a privately-owned wall within the context of this case. How did the distinction between these two types of walls become the central point of contention and influence the decisions made by the Hendersons, the Normans, and the ARC?

2. Discuss the powers and limitations of the Rancho Del Lago Community Association’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) as outlined in the CC&Rs and Common Project Guidelines. How did the ARC’s discretionary authority, particularly under Section 4.21 of the guidelines, impact the events of this dispute?

3. Trace the timeline of Architectural Variance Requests (AVRs) submitted by both the Normans and the Hendersons. Evaluate how the sequence of approvals, denials, and unbuilt projects contributed to the escalation of the dispute and ultimately led to the legal hearing.

4. Explain the legal reasoning behind the Administrative Law Judge’s final decision. Why was the concept of “jurisdiction” more critical to the outcome than the merits of the Normans’ claim regarding “closely parallel walls”? Refer to the specific Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) cited in the decision.

5. The judge described the potential wall the Petitioners wish to build as an “archetypical spite fence.” Based on the testimony and evidence presented in the case, argue for or against this characterization.

——————————————————————————–

Glossary of Key Terms

Definition

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

The official, in this case Diane Mihalsky, who presides over hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings and renders decisions on disputes involving state agencies.

Architectural Review Committee (ARC)

A committee established by the Declarant and governed by the CC&Rs, responsible for reviewing and approving or denying any proposed improvements that alter the exterior appearance of properties within the community. Its decisions are described as “sole, absolute and final.”

Architectural Variance Request (AVR)

The formal application submitted by a homeowner to the ARC to request approval for an exterior improvement or modification to their property.

Arizona Department of Real Estate (the Department)

The state agency authorized by statute to receive and decide petitions for hearings from members of homeowners’ associations regarding violations of community documents.

CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions)

The legal documents that establish the rules, regulations, and obligations for homeowners within a planned community like Rancho Del Lago.

Closely Parallel Walls

A term from Section 3.11(D)(1) of the Common Project Guidelines that are to be disapproved. The term is not explicitly defined, but testimony suggests a wall 3 feet from another would be approved, making the threshold for “close” less than that.

Common Project Guidelines

A set of rules adopted by the ARC in December 2003 that govern all exterior improvements and provide standards for the Design Review Process. These guidelines supplement the CC&Rs.

Declarant

The original developer that built the subdivision. In this case, the Declarant still controlled the association’s Board of Directors and the ARC.

Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court or agency to hear and decide a case. The petition was dismissed because the Department was found to lack jurisdiction over disputes solely between homeowners.

Office of Administrative Hearings

An independent state agency in Arizona where evidentiary hearings, like the one in this case, are conducted by an Administrative Law Judge.

Party Wall

As defined in the CC&Rs, a wall on the property line between contiguous lots. Owners have equal rights to use it and share joint financial responsibility for its repair and maintenance.

Petitioners

The party that initiates a legal action or petition. In this case, homeowners David and Brenda Norman.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof required in this civil administrative hearing. It means the evidence presented must be sufficient to convince the judge that a claim is more probably true than not.

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this case, the Rancho Del Lago Community Association.

Restrictive Covenant

A provision in a deed or community document (like a CC&R) that limits the use of the property. Arizona law holds that unambiguous restrictive covenants are enforced to give effect to the intent of the parties.






Blog Post – 19F-H1919051-REL


The Six-Inch Wall That Ignited a Legal Battle: 4 Shocking Lessons from a Brutal HOA War

1.0 Introduction: The Neighbor Next Door

Living next to someone is a universal experience, and it’s remarkable how quickly a small disagreement over a fence or a property line can spiral into a full-blown conflict. For two families in an Arizona HOA, what started as a plan for a backyard wall ended in a formal administrative law hearing, providing a stark case study in property law, association rules, and human nature.

This dispute, involving homeowners David and Brenda Norman and their neighbors, the Hendersons, dissects four critical lessons that challenge common assumptions about homeowner rights and association duties. Their story is a powerful cautionary tale about property lines, HOA authority, and the high cost of a neighborhood war.

2.0 Takeaway 1: The Six-Inch Difference That Changes Everything

1. A Wall on the Property Line Isn’t the Same as a Wall Near It

In property law, inches are everything. The community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) defined a “Party Wall” as a structure sitting directly on the property line between two lots. By this definition, these walls are a shared responsibility, requiring mutual consent from both homeowners for construction and shared costs for maintenance.

This distinction became the pivot on which the entire case turned. Initially, the Hendersons submitted plans to build a shared Party Wall, and the Normans gave their required consent. But then the plan changed. The Hendersons withdrew that request and submitted a new one: to build a wall located just six inches inside their own property line. The record doesn’t state definitively why the Hendersons changed their plan, though testimony suggested the Normans may have rescinded their initial consent.

This was a masterstroke of procedural navigation; by sacrificing a mere six inches of their yard, the Hendersons effectively bought the legal right to build without their neighbors’ consent, turning a potential year-long dispute into a matter of a simple ARC approval. By moving the structure entirely onto their own lot, it was no longer a “Party Wall” but their private property. While the Hendersons had successfully navigated the HOA’s rules, the Normans’ next step was to try and force the HOA to intervene directly—a move that would expose a common misunderstanding about the limits of an association’s power.

3.0 Takeaway 2: Your HOA Isn’t the Neighborhood Referee

2. The HOA’s Power to Intervene Has Surprising Limits

A common assumption among homeowners is that the HOA must mediate any and all disputes between residents. This case proves that assumption is fundamentally incorrect.

When the conflict escalated, the HOA’s position was unwavering. Spencer Brod, an employee of the association’s management company, testified that the association “never gets involved in disputes between neighbors.” Its role is to enforce community rules as they relate to the association, not to take sides in personal conflicts between homeowners.

The Administrative Law Judge presiding over the case reinforced this legal reality, citing Arizona law to clarify the limits of both the HOA’s and the state’s jurisdiction. The judge’s finding was unequivocal:

Neither the CC&Rs nor the Common Project Guidelines require Respondent [the HOA] to mediate or resolve a dispute between neighbors by taking one side or the other. A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1) provides that ‘[t]he department does not have jurisdiction to hear [a]ny dispute among or between owners to which the association is not a party.’

This finding is a crucial lesson: while an HOA enforces its governing documents, it is not a neighborhood court and cannot be compelled to referee personal disagreements.

4.0 Takeaway 3: You Can’t Demand a Neighbor Play by the Rules If You Don’t

3. Coming to the Table with Clean Hands Matters

The case contained a powerful element of irony that proved fatal to the Normans’ petition. The judge’s official Findings of Fact reveal that while demanding the HOA enforce its rules against the Hendersons, the Normans had a significant compliance issue of their own.

In September 2017, the Normans submitted a request to build an 11-foot wide concrete driveway “to provide a solid walking surface because Mrs. Norman was disabled and had difficulty walking.” While the motivation was sympathetic, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) denied the request. Despite the denial, the Normans built the driveway anyway and were subsequently issued a Notice of Violation by the HOA.

Critically, the Normans’ own rule-breaking occurred after the Hendersons’ wall was approved. In the very midst of their dispute, while formulating a case against their neighbors, they chose to defy the ARC themselves. This is a classic illustration of the “unclean hands” doctrine. In any legal or administrative forum, one’s credibility is paramount. The Normans were asking the HOA to be a strict enforcer of rules they themselves had flagrantly violated, a position that is almost always untenable.

5.0 Takeaway 4: When a Judge Calls It a “Spite Fence”

4. The Court May Look Past the Rules and See Your Intent

Even in a hearing focused on the technicalities of CC&Rs, the underlying human motivations of the conflict did not go unnoticed. The HOA’s ARC had previously approved a plan for the Normans to build their own wall, provided it was located three feet inside their property line. They refused. Brenda Norman testified that their contractor told them they were “crazy to give up the 3’ of property.” Mrs. Norman also argued that a wall on her property would be denied as a prohibited “closely parallel wall,” but this claim was directly contradicted by the ARC’s own actions—they had already approved her wall at the three-foot distance.

The judge’s “spite fence” comment wasn’t just an observation; it was the legal culmination of the Normans’ entire pattern of behavior. Their refusal to accept an approved wall on their own property (losing 3 feet) while demanding their neighbor tear down a wall built on theirs (losing 0 feet) painted a clear picture of animosity, not a genuine need for property protection. The judge saw through the legal arguments to the core of the issue:

The wall that Petitioners testified that they must build to protect their property appears to be an archetypical spite fence between neighbors who cannot agree to mutually work for the improvement of their adjacent properties.

A “spite fence” is a legal term for a structure erected with malicious intent, where the primary purpose is not to improve one’s own property but to annoy, inconvenience, or harm a neighbor. The judge’s use of this term was a powerful signal that, in the court’s view, the dispute was no longer about property rights, but about personal animus.

6.0 Conclusion: A Wall Is a Wall, But a Neighbor Is Forever

This case is a cautionary tale written in concrete and legal filings. It shows how a dispute over six inches of soil can metastasize, fueled by a misunderstanding of HOA rules and an unwillingness to compromise, ultimately costing both parties time, money, and peace of mind. From the critical importance of a few inches of land to the defined limits of an HOA’s authority, the details matter.

Ultimately, the story of the Normans and the Hendersons serves as a powerful reminder that navigating HOA living requires a clear-eyed understanding of the actual rules, not just a sense of what seems “fair.” It leaves us with a critical question to consider.

When it comes to our homes and neighbors, is it more important to be right, or to find a way to live in peace?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • David Norman (petitioner)
    Appeared telephonically on own behalf
  • Brenda Norman (petitioner)
    Testified on Petitioners' behalf

Respondent Side

  • Ashley N. Moscarello (HOA attorney)
    Goodman Law Group
    Represented Rancho Del Lago Community Association
  • Spencer Brod (property manager/witness)
    Management Solutions
    Employee of Respondent's management company; testified

Neutral Parties

  • Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
  • Judy Lowe (Commissioner)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
  • Felicia Del Sol (administrative staff)
    Transmitted decision electronically

Other Participants

  • Anthony Henderson (homeowner/neighbor)
    Next-door neighbor who built the wall in dispute
  • Mabel Gummere (property manager predecessor)
    Predecessor to Spencer Brod

David & Brenda Norman v. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1919051-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-05-28
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner David and Brenda Norman Counsel
Respondent Rancho Del Lago Community Association Counsel Ashley N. Moscarello

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) / Common Project Guidelines § 3.11(D)(1)

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition filed by David and Brenda Norman against Rancho Del Lago Community Association, finding that the Department of Real Estate did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute, as it was essentially a conflict between neighboring owners (Petitioners and Hendersons) regarding a wall.

Why this result: The Department lacked jurisdiction over the dispute among or between owners, per A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Key Issues & Findings

Alleged violation by HOA approving a block wall built by neighbors (Hendersons)

Petitioners alleged that Respondent HOA violated CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) by approving a block wall built by their next-door neighbors, the Hendersons, and requested the Department require the Hendersons to permit Petitioners to connect to the wall or require the Hendersons to tear the wall down.

Orders: The petition was dismissed because the Department lacked jurisdiction to hear a dispute primarily among or between owners to which the association is not a party, pursuant to A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

Analytics Highlights

Topics: Jurisdiction, HOA Governance, Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Party Wall, Neighbor Dispute, CC&Rs
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1919051-REL Decision – 710478.pdf

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19F-H1919051-REL Decision – 711115.pdf

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Briefing Doc – 19F-H1919051-REL


Case Briefing: Norman v. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

Executive Summary

This briefing document provides a comprehensive analysis of the Administrative Law Judge Decision in case number 19F-H1919051-REL, involving homeowners David and Brenda Norman (Petitioners) and the Rancho Del Lago Community Association (Respondent). The core of the dispute centers on the Petitioners’ allegation that the Respondent’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) violated community guidelines by approving a wall built by the Petitioners’ neighbors, the Hendersons.

The Petitioners claimed the Henderson’s wall, constructed 6 inches inside the property line, created a situation where any wall they might build on their property would be a “closely parallel wall,” which is prohibited by the community’s Common Project Guidelines § 3.11(D)(1). They requested that the Respondent either force the Hendersons to allow the Petitioners to connect to their wall, effectively making it a shared “party wall,” or compel the Hendersons to demolish it.

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition entirely. The primary legal basis for the dismissal was a lack of jurisdiction; under Arizona statute A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1), the Arizona Department of Real Estate cannot hear disputes solely between homeowners in which the association is not a party. The judge concluded this was fundamentally a neighbor-versus-neighbor conflict. Furthermore, the judge characterized the wall the Petitioners sought to build as an “archetypical spite fence” and noted that the Petitioners had failed to prove the Respondent had violated any community documents.

Case Overview

Parties and Key Entities

Name/Entity

Description

Petitioners

David and Brenda Norman

Homeowners in the Rancho Del Lago Community.

Respondent

Rancho Del Lago Community Association

The homeowners’ association (HOA) for the community.

Neighbors

The Hendersons

The Petitioners’ next-door neighbors who built the disputed wall.

Management Co.

Management Solutions

The company managing the Respondent HOA.

Witness (Respondent)

Spencer Brod

Employee of Management Solutions overseeing the Respondent’s affairs.

Administrative Law Judge

Diane Mihalsky

Presiding judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Regulating Body

Arizona Department of Real Estate

State agency authorized to hear certain HOA disputes.

Adjudicating Body

Office of Administrative Hearings

Independent state agency that conducted the evidentiary hearing.

Procedural Details

Detail

Information

Case Number

19F-H1919051-REL

Petition Filed

On or about February 28, 2019

Hearing Date

May 8, 2019

Amended Decision Date

May 28, 2019

Timeline of Key Events

December 2003: The Respondent’s ARC adopts the Common Project Guidelines, which govern all exterior improvements.

March 8, 2017: The Hendersons submit an Architectural Variance Request (AVR) to extend the common wall between their property and the Petitioners’. Mrs. Norman signs the request, giving consent. The ARC approves this request.

April 27, 2017: The Hendersons submit a new AVR to build a wall extension 6 inches inside their property line, making it a private wall rather than a shared party wall. The record suggests Mrs. Norman may have rescinded her earlier approval for the common wall.

May 10, 2017: The ARC approves the Hendersons’ request to build the wall 6 inches inside their property line.

September 5, 2017: The Petitioners submit an AVR to build an 11-foot wide concrete driveway. The ARC denies the request.

Post-September 5, 2017: Despite the denial, the Petitioners construct the 11-foot wide driveway and are subsequently issued a Notice of Violation by the Respondent.

September 7, 2017: The Petitioners submit an AVR to build a wall extension on their property, positioned at least 3 feet away from the Hendersons’ wall.

October 13, 2017: The ARC approves the Petitioners’ wall extension request.

Post-October 13, 2017: The Petitioners decide not to build the approved wall, stating their contractor advised them against “giving up” the 3 feet of property that would lie between the two walls.

By November 2017: The Hendersons’ wall appears to have been constructed.

February 28, 2019: The Petitioners file a petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate, alleging the Respondent violated community rules.

March 27, 2019: The Petitioners file a new AVR to build a wall directly on the property line. This request did not include the Hendersons’ required consent and was still pending at the time of the hearing.

Governing Documents and Key Provisions

The dispute and subsequent legal decision referenced several specific articles from the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and the Common Project Guidelines.

Document

Provision

Description

Article I § (p)

Defines “Party Walls” built on a property line, establishing equal right of use, joint responsibility for maintenance and repair, and a process for the Board to resolve disputes over construction or cost-sharing.

Article II § 2(a)

Requires prior written approval from the ARC for any improvements that alter the exterior appearance of a property.

Article XII § 1

Establishes the ARC, noting that its decisions are “sole, absolute and final on all matters submitted to it.”

Common Project Guidelines

Section 3.11(D)(1)

States that “Closely parallel walls shall be disapproved.” The term “closely parallel” is not defined in the guidelines. This provision was the central focus of the Petitioners’ complaint.

Common Project Guidelines

Section 4.21

Grants the ARC the right “to waive, vary, or otherwise modify any of the standards or procedures set forth herein at its discretion, for good cause shown.”

Summary of Testimony and Evidence

Testimony of Brenda Norman (Petitioner)

Motivation for Wall: Stated that she and her husband are in law enforcement and want to enclose their side yard to protect utility meters from potential vandalism.

Reason for Not Building Approved Wall: Explained that their contractor advised them it was “crazy to give up the 3’ of property” that would be inaccessible between their proposed wall and the Hendersons’ wall.

Relationship with Neighbors: Acknowledged that the Petitioners “do not get along very well with the Hendersons” and therefore never asked for their consent for a wall on the property line.

Belief Regarding Parallel Walls: Believes that if she submitted a plan for a wall just inside her property line, it would be denied under the “close parallel wall” rule.

Requested Action: Opined that the Respondent should force the Hendersons to tear down their wall because it is not uniformly 6 inches from the property line.

Testimony of Spencer Brod (for Respondent)

HOA Policy: Testified that the HOA “never gets involved in disputes between neighbors” and that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain neighbor consent for common wall projects.

Party vs. Private Walls: Explained that neighbor consent is required only for “party walls” on the property line due to shared maintenance liability. The Hendersons’ wall was approved because it was on their own property and therefore not a party wall.

Enforcement and Inspection: Admitted that the Hendersons’ wall may not be uniformly 6 inches from the line but stated the Respondent has no one to perform a “thorough inspection” and had not sent a violation letter.

“Closely Parallel Walls” Interpretation: Testified that while the term is undefined, the ARC’s approval of the Petitioners’ plan for a wall 3 feet away indicates that “closely parallel” means a distance of less than 3 feet.

Petitioners’ Unauthorized Construction: Confirmed that the Respondent sent the Petitioners a Notice of Violation for building a driveway that the ARC had explicitly denied.

Administrative Law Judge’s Conclusions of Law

The judge’s decision was based on a detailed analysis of the evidence, governing documents, and relevant state law.

1. Jurisdictional Failure: The primary reason for dismissal was a lack of jurisdiction. The judge cited A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1), which explicitly states, “The department does not have jurisdiction to hear [a]ny dispute among or between owners to which the association is not a party.” The judge determined this was a quintessential neighbor dispute, not a dispute with the HOA.

2. Failure to Meet Burden of Proof: The Petitioners bore the burden of proving by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the Respondent violated its own rules. The judge found they failed to do so.

3. Characterization as a “Spite Fence”: The decision describes the wall the Petitioners wish to build as an “archetypical spite fence between neighbors who cannot agree to mutually work for the improvement of their adjacent properties.”

4. HOA’s Limited Role: The judge affirmed that neither the CC&Rs nor the Common Project Guidelines compel the HOA to mediate or resolve disputes between neighbors by taking a side.

5. Distinction of Wall Types: The analysis distinguished between a party wall on a property line, which requires neighbor consent, and a private wall built entirely on one owner’s property, which does not. The Hendersons’ wall was approved as the latter.

6. Hypothetical Outcome: A concluding footnote in the decision states that even if the Department had jurisdiction, the Petitioners had not established that Guideline 3.11(D)(1) would authorize or require the Respondent to grant the relief they requested.

Final Order

IT IS ORDERED that the petition filed by David and Brenda Norman against the Respondent, Rancho Del Lago Community Association, is dismissed. The dismissal is based on the finding that the Arizona Department of Real Estate does not have jurisdiction to hear their dispute with the Hendersons.






Study Guide – 19F-H1919051-REL


Study Guide: Norman v. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

This guide is designed to review the administrative legal case between homeowners David and Brenda Norman and their homeowners’ association, the Rancho Del Lago Community Association, concerning a dispute over a neighbor’s wall.

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Short-Answer Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences, drawing only from the information provided in the case documents.

1. What was the central violation of the homeowners’ association rules alleged by the Petitioners in their February 28, 2019, petition?

2. Identify the three main groups of individuals or entities involved in the dispute: the Petitioners, the Respondent, and the neighbors.

3. According to the Respondent’s CC&Rs, what is a “Party Wall” and what primary responsibility does it create for adjacent homeowners?

4. Describe the two separate wall-related Architectural Variance Requests (AVRs) submitted by the Hendersons in March and April of 2017.

5. Why did the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) initially deny the Petitioners’ request to build a new driveway, and what was the outcome of this denial?

6. What is the role of the “Declarant” within the Rancho Del Lago Community Association, and what influence do they hold over the board and the ARC?

7. The ARC approved a wall proposal for the Petitioners on October 13, 2017. Why did the Petitioners choose not to build this approved wall?

8. According to the CC&Rs, what is the ultimate authority of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) in rendering its decisions?

9. On what legal grounds did the Administrative Law Judge ultimately dismiss the Petitioners’ case?

10. Who bore the “burden of proof” in this hearing, and what does this legal standard require?

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Quiz Answer Key

1. The Petitioners alleged that the Respondent (the homeowners’ association) violated Section 3.11(D)(1) of the Common Project Guidelines. This section states that “closely parallel walls shall be disapproved,” and the Petitioners argued that the association violated this rule by approving the wall built by their neighbors, the Hendersons.

2. The Petitioners were homeowners David and Brenda Norman. The Respondent was the Rancho Del Lago Community Association. The neighbors, who were central to the dispute but not a party to the case, were the Hendersons.

3. A “Party Wall” is a wall situated on the property line between two or more contiguous lots. It creates a shared right of use and a joint obligation for all adjoining owners to rebuild and repair the wall at their shared expense.

4. The Hendersons first submitted an AVR on March 8, 2017, to extend the existing common party wall, for which Mrs. Norman gave consent. On April 27, 2017, they submitted a different AVR to build a new wall located entirely on their property, 6 inches inside the property line, which did not require the Normans’ consent.

5. The ARC denied the Petitioners’ September 5, 2017, request for an 11-foot wide driveway because a driveway already existed on the opposite side of the house where the garage was located. Despite the denial, the Petitioners built the driveway anyway, which resulted in the Respondent issuing them a Notice of Violation.

6. The “Declarant” is the original developer that built the subdivision. At the time of the hearing, the Respondent association was still under the control of the Declarant, who appointed all three directors of the board and was also a member of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).

7. The Petitioners did not build the approved wall because the plan required it to be built at least 3 feet inside their property line to avoid being a party wall. Their contractor advised them they would be “crazy to give up the 3’ of property” that would lie between their new wall and the Hendersons’ wall.

8. According to Article XII, § 1 of the CC&Rs, “the decision of the [ARC] shall be sole, absolute and final on all matters submitted to it pursuant to this Declaration and/or the Design Guidelines.”

9. The judge dismissed the case due to a lack of jurisdiction. According to Arizona statute A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1), the Arizona Department of Real Estate does not have jurisdiction to hear disputes between owners to which the association is not a party. The judge framed the issue as a private dispute between the Normans and the Hendersons.

10. The Petitioners (the Normans) bore the burden of proof to establish that the Respondent violated the community rules. This standard, known as a “preponderance of the evidence,” requires presenting evidence that is more convincing and more likely true than not.

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Essay Questions

Instructions: The following questions are designed to test a deeper, more analytical understanding of the case. Formulate a comprehensive response to each prompt, citing specific facts and rules from the case documents to support your arguments.

1. Analyze the concept of a “Party Wall” versus a privately-owned wall within the context of this case. How did the distinction between these two types of walls become the central point of contention and influence the decisions made by the Hendersons, the Normans, and the ARC?

2. Discuss the powers and limitations of the Rancho Del Lago Community Association’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) as outlined in the CC&Rs and Common Project Guidelines. How did the ARC’s discretionary authority, particularly under Section 4.21 of the guidelines, impact the events of this dispute?

3. Trace the timeline of Architectural Variance Requests (AVRs) submitted by both the Normans and the Hendersons. Evaluate how the sequence of approvals, denials, and unbuilt projects contributed to the escalation of the dispute and ultimately led to the legal hearing.

4. Explain the legal reasoning behind the Administrative Law Judge’s final decision. Why was the concept of “jurisdiction” more critical to the outcome than the merits of the Normans’ claim regarding “closely parallel walls”? Refer to the specific Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) cited in the decision.

5. The judge described the potential wall the Petitioners wish to build as an “archetypical spite fence.” Based on the testimony and evidence presented in the case, argue for or against this characterization.

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Glossary of Key Terms

Definition

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

The official, in this case Diane Mihalsky, who presides over hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings and renders decisions on disputes involving state agencies.

Architectural Review Committee (ARC)

A committee established by the Declarant and governed by the CC&Rs, responsible for reviewing and approving or denying any proposed improvements that alter the exterior appearance of properties within the community. Its decisions are described as “sole, absolute and final.”

Architectural Variance Request (AVR)

The formal application submitted by a homeowner to the ARC to request approval for an exterior improvement or modification to their property.

Arizona Department of Real Estate (the Department)

The state agency authorized by statute to receive and decide petitions for hearings from members of homeowners’ associations regarding violations of community documents.

CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions)

The legal documents that establish the rules, regulations, and obligations for homeowners within a planned community like Rancho Del Lago.

Closely Parallel Walls

A term from Section 3.11(D)(1) of the Common Project Guidelines that are to be disapproved. The term is not explicitly defined, but testimony suggests a wall 3 feet from another would be approved, making the threshold for “close” less than that.

Common Project Guidelines

A set of rules adopted by the ARC in December 2003 that govern all exterior improvements and provide standards for the Design Review Process. These guidelines supplement the CC&Rs.

Declarant

The original developer that built the subdivision. In this case, the Declarant still controlled the association’s Board of Directors and the ARC.

Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court or agency to hear and decide a case. The petition was dismissed because the Department was found to lack jurisdiction over disputes solely between homeowners.

Office of Administrative Hearings

An independent state agency in Arizona where evidentiary hearings, like the one in this case, are conducted by an Administrative Law Judge.

Party Wall

As defined in the CC&Rs, a wall on the property line between contiguous lots. Owners have equal rights to use it and share joint financial responsibility for its repair and maintenance.

Petitioners

The party that initiates a legal action or petition. In this case, homeowners David and Brenda Norman.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof required in this civil administrative hearing. It means the evidence presented must be sufficient to convince the judge that a claim is more probably true than not.

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this case, the Rancho Del Lago Community Association.

Restrictive Covenant

A provision in a deed or community document (like a CC&R) that limits the use of the property. Arizona law holds that unambiguous restrictive covenants are enforced to give effect to the intent of the parties.






Blog Post – 19F-H1919051-REL


The Six-Inch Wall That Ignited a Legal Battle: 4 Shocking Lessons from a Brutal HOA War

1.0 Introduction: The Neighbor Next Door

Living next to someone is a universal experience, and it’s remarkable how quickly a small disagreement over a fence or a property line can spiral into a full-blown conflict. For two families in an Arizona HOA, what started as a plan for a backyard wall ended in a formal administrative law hearing, providing a stark case study in property law, association rules, and human nature.

This dispute, involving homeowners David and Brenda Norman and their neighbors, the Hendersons, dissects four critical lessons that challenge common assumptions about homeowner rights and association duties. Their story is a powerful cautionary tale about property lines, HOA authority, and the high cost of a neighborhood war.

2.0 Takeaway 1: The Six-Inch Difference That Changes Everything

1. A Wall on the Property Line Isn’t the Same as a Wall Near It

In property law, inches are everything. The community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) defined a “Party Wall” as a structure sitting directly on the property line between two lots. By this definition, these walls are a shared responsibility, requiring mutual consent from both homeowners for construction and shared costs for maintenance.

This distinction became the pivot on which the entire case turned. Initially, the Hendersons submitted plans to build a shared Party Wall, and the Normans gave their required consent. But then the plan changed. The Hendersons withdrew that request and submitted a new one: to build a wall located just six inches inside their own property line. The record doesn’t state definitively why the Hendersons changed their plan, though testimony suggested the Normans may have rescinded their initial consent.

This was a masterstroke of procedural navigation; by sacrificing a mere six inches of their yard, the Hendersons effectively bought the legal right to build without their neighbors’ consent, turning a potential year-long dispute into a matter of a simple ARC approval. By moving the structure entirely onto their own lot, it was no longer a “Party Wall” but their private property. While the Hendersons had successfully navigated the HOA’s rules, the Normans’ next step was to try and force the HOA to intervene directly—a move that would expose a common misunderstanding about the limits of an association’s power.

3.0 Takeaway 2: Your HOA Isn’t the Neighborhood Referee

2. The HOA’s Power to Intervene Has Surprising Limits

A common assumption among homeowners is that the HOA must mediate any and all disputes between residents. This case proves that assumption is fundamentally incorrect.

When the conflict escalated, the HOA’s position was unwavering. Spencer Brod, an employee of the association’s management company, testified that the association “never gets involved in disputes between neighbors.” Its role is to enforce community rules as they relate to the association, not to take sides in personal conflicts between homeowners.

The Administrative Law Judge presiding over the case reinforced this legal reality, citing Arizona law to clarify the limits of both the HOA’s and the state’s jurisdiction. The judge’s finding was unequivocal:

Neither the CC&Rs nor the Common Project Guidelines require Respondent [the HOA] to mediate or resolve a dispute between neighbors by taking one side or the other. A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1) provides that ‘[t]he department does not have jurisdiction to hear [a]ny dispute among or between owners to which the association is not a party.’

This finding is a crucial lesson: while an HOA enforces its governing documents, it is not a neighborhood court and cannot be compelled to referee personal disagreements.

4.0 Takeaway 3: You Can’t Demand a Neighbor Play by the Rules If You Don’t

3. Coming to the Table with Clean Hands Matters

The case contained a powerful element of irony that proved fatal to the Normans’ petition. The judge’s official Findings of Fact reveal that while demanding the HOA enforce its rules against the Hendersons, the Normans had a significant compliance issue of their own.

In September 2017, the Normans submitted a request to build an 11-foot wide concrete driveway “to provide a solid walking surface because Mrs. Norman was disabled and had difficulty walking.” While the motivation was sympathetic, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) denied the request. Despite the denial, the Normans built the driveway anyway and were subsequently issued a Notice of Violation by the HOA.

Critically, the Normans’ own rule-breaking occurred after the Hendersons’ wall was approved. In the very midst of their dispute, while formulating a case against their neighbors, they chose to defy the ARC themselves. This is a classic illustration of the “unclean hands” doctrine. In any legal or administrative forum, one’s credibility is paramount. The Normans were asking the HOA to be a strict enforcer of rules they themselves had flagrantly violated, a position that is almost always untenable.

5.0 Takeaway 4: When a Judge Calls It a “Spite Fence”

4. The Court May Look Past the Rules and See Your Intent

Even in a hearing focused on the technicalities of CC&Rs, the underlying human motivations of the conflict did not go unnoticed. The HOA’s ARC had previously approved a plan for the Normans to build their own wall, provided it was located three feet inside their property line. They refused. Brenda Norman testified that their contractor told them they were “crazy to give up the 3’ of property.” Mrs. Norman also argued that a wall on her property would be denied as a prohibited “closely parallel wall,” but this claim was directly contradicted by the ARC’s own actions—they had already approved her wall at the three-foot distance.

The judge’s “spite fence” comment wasn’t just an observation; it was the legal culmination of the Normans’ entire pattern of behavior. Their refusal to accept an approved wall on their own property (losing 3 feet) while demanding their neighbor tear down a wall built on theirs (losing 0 feet) painted a clear picture of animosity, not a genuine need for property protection. The judge saw through the legal arguments to the core of the issue:

The wall that Petitioners testified that they must build to protect their property appears to be an archetypical spite fence between neighbors who cannot agree to mutually work for the improvement of their adjacent properties.

A “spite fence” is a legal term for a structure erected with malicious intent, where the primary purpose is not to improve one’s own property but to annoy, inconvenience, or harm a neighbor. The judge’s use of this term was a powerful signal that, in the court’s view, the dispute was no longer about property rights, but about personal animus.

6.0 Conclusion: A Wall Is a Wall, But a Neighbor Is Forever

This case is a cautionary tale written in concrete and legal filings. It shows how a dispute over six inches of soil can metastasize, fueled by a misunderstanding of HOA rules and an unwillingness to compromise, ultimately costing both parties time, money, and peace of mind. From the critical importance of a few inches of land to the defined limits of an HOA’s authority, the details matter.

Ultimately, the story of the Normans and the Hendersons serves as a powerful reminder that navigating HOA living requires a clear-eyed understanding of the actual rules, not just a sense of what seems “fair.” It leaves us with a critical question to consider.

When it comes to our homes and neighbors, is it more important to be right, or to find a way to live in peace?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • David Norman (petitioner)
    Appeared telephonically on own behalf
  • Brenda Norman (petitioner)
    Testified on Petitioners' behalf

Respondent Side

  • Ashley N. Moscarello (HOA attorney)
    Goodman Law Group
    Represented Rancho Del Lago Community Association
  • Spencer Brod (property manager/witness)
    Management Solutions
    Employee of Respondent's management company; testified

Neutral Parties

  • Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
  • Judy Lowe (Commissioner)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
  • Felicia Del Sol (administrative staff)
    Transmitted decision electronically

Other Participants

  • Anthony Henderson (homeowner/neighbor)
    Next-door neighbor who built the wall in dispute
  • Mabel Gummere (property manager predecessor)
    Predecessor to Spencer Brod

David & Brenda Norman vs. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

Note: A Rehearing was requested for this case. The dashboard statistics reflect the final outcome of the rehearing process.

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1919051-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-05-28
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner David and Brenda Norman Counsel
Respondent Rancho Del Lago Community Association Counsel Ashley N. Moscarello

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) / Common Project Guidelines § 3.11(D)(1)

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition filed by David and Brenda Norman against Rancho Del Lago Community Association, finding that the Department of Real Estate did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute, as it was essentially a conflict between neighboring owners (Petitioners and Hendersons) regarding a wall.

Why this result: The Department lacked jurisdiction over the dispute among or between owners, per A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Key Issues & Findings

Alleged violation by HOA approving a block wall built by neighbors (Hendersons)

Petitioners alleged that Respondent HOA violated CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) by approving a block wall built by their next-door neighbors, the Hendersons, and requested the Department require the Hendersons to permit Petitioners to connect to the wall or require the Hendersons to tear the wall down.

Orders: The petition was dismissed because the Department lacked jurisdiction to hear a dispute primarily among or between owners to which the association is not a party, pursuant to A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

Analytics Highlights

Topics: Jurisdiction, HOA Governance, Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Party Wall, Neighbor Dispute, CC&Rs
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

David & Brenda Norman vs. Rancho Del Lago Community Association

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1919051-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-05-28
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner David and Brenda Norman Counsel
Respondent Rancho Del Lago Community Association Counsel Ashley N. Moscarello

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) / Common Project Guidelines § 3.11(D)(1)

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition filed by David and Brenda Norman against Rancho Del Lago Community Association, finding that the Department of Real Estate did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute, as it was essentially a conflict between neighboring owners (Petitioners and Hendersons) regarding a wall.

Why this result: The Department lacked jurisdiction over the dispute among or between owners, per A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Key Issues & Findings

Alleged violation by HOA approving a block wall built by neighbors (Hendersons)

Petitioners alleged that Respondent HOA violated CC&Rs § 3.11(D)(1) by approving a block wall built by their next-door neighbors, the Hendersons, and requested the Department require the Hendersons to permit Petitioners to connect to the wall or require the Hendersons to tear the wall down.

Orders: The petition was dismissed because the Department lacked jurisdiction to hear a dispute primarily among or between owners to which the association is not a party, pursuant to A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1).

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

Analytics Highlights

Topics: Jurisdiction, HOA Governance, Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Party Wall, Neighbor Dispute, CC&Rs
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01(A)(1)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.04
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09

John A Sellers v. Rancho Madera Condominium Association

Note: A Rehearing was requested for this case. The dashboard statistics reflect the final outcome of the rehearing process.

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-05-10
Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner John A Sellers Counsel
Respondent Rancho Madera Condominium Association Counsel Edward D. O'Brien, Edith I. Rudder

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs § 3.10, 3.10.2, 3.10.4

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition following a rehearing, concluding that the Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof by establishing that the Respondent HOA violated its CC&Rs. The governing documents grant the HOA the right, but not the obligation, to enforce maintenance duties specifically assigned to Unit Owners concerning the drainage easement.

Why this result: Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent violated the CC&Rs because the HOA was found to have a right to enforce maintenance of the drainage easement, but not a mandatory obligation to do so under the terms of the CC&Rs.

Key Issues & Findings

HOA failure to enforce unit owner maintenance obligations regarding stormwater drainage easement

Petitioner alleged that the Respondent HOA violated the CC&Rs by failing to enforce unit owner responsibility to keep the stormwater drainage area free of obstructions like vegetation and fencing materials, potentially causing a risk of flooding to his unit.

Orders: The petition was dismissed. The Administrative Law Judge determined that the CC&Rs assign Unit Owners the responsibility to clear the drainage area and grant the HOA the right, but not an obligation, to enforce this maintenance.

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • MORRIS K. UDALL, ARIZONA LAW OF EVIDENCE § 5 (1960)
  • BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY at page 1220 (8th ed. 1999)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553, 556 ¶ 9, 125 P.3d 373, 376 (2006)
  • Lookout Mountain Paradise Hills Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Viewpoint Assocs., 867 P.2d 70, 75 (Colo. App. 1993)

Analytics Highlights

Topics: HOA, CC&Rs, Drainage Easement, Enforcement Obligation, Condominium Unit Owner
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.08(H)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • Vazanno v. Superior Court, 74 Ariz. 369, 372, 249 P.2d 837 (1952)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553, 556 ¶ 9, 125 P.3d 373, 376 (2006)
  • Lookout Mountain Paradise Hills Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Viewpoint Assocs., 867 P.2d 70, 75 (Colo. App. 1993)

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – 706533.pdf

Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:33:29 (42.2 KB)

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – 707530.pdf

Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:33:29 (111.5 KB)

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – ../19F-H1918010-REL/667122.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-20T13:48:43 (50.0 KB)

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – ../19F-H1918010-REL/678371.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-20T13:48:45 (129.5 KB)





Briefing Doc – 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG


Dispute Analysis: Sellers vs. Rancho Madera Condominium Association

Executive Summary

This briefing document synthesizes the legal proceedings and outcomes of a dispute between homeowner John A. Sellers (Petitioner) and the Rancho Madera Condominium Association (Respondent). The core of the conflict was Mr. Sellers’ allegation that the Association violated its Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) by failing to compel other homeowners to remove vegetation and fencing from a common stormwater drainage channel, thereby creating a flood risk to his property, Unit 12.

The case was adjudicated by the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) in a process that included an initial hearing, a decision, a granted request for rehearing, and a final binding decision. In both instances, the Administrative Law Judge ruled against the Petitioner.

The initial decision, issued in December 2018, concluded that Mr. Sellers failed to provide sufficient evidence that the materials in the channel actually impeded water flow or posed an unreasonable flood risk. The ruling highlighted that the channel had functioned as intended since 2012 without any flooding incidents. Following a rehearing in April 2019, the second and final decision in May 2019 reinforced this conclusion. It further clarified a crucial distinction in the CC&Rs: while the Association possesses the right to enforce maintenance rules upon homeowners, the governing documents do not impose an explicit obligation to do so proactively before any damage has occurred. The responsibility for maintaining the drainage area rests with the individual unit owners, and the Association’s primary duty is to repair damages after the fact, billing the responsible owner. The petition was ultimately dismissed.

——————————————————————————–

I. Case Overview

This case documents a formal complaint filed by a homeowner against his condominium association, which was resolved through the Arizona Department of Real Estate and the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Case Number: 19F-H1918010-REL

Petitioner: John A. Sellers, owner of Unit 12 in Rancho Madera

Respondent: Rancho Madera Condominium Association, a 46-unit development in Cave Creek, Arizona.

Venue: Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

Key Chronology of Events

Aug 23, 2018

Petitioner files a single-issue petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

Oct 23, 2018

An OAH order vacates the initial hearing after the Petitioner indicates a wish to withdraw the petition.

Nov 5, 2018

The first evidentiary hearing convenes, indicating the withdrawal was rescinded.

Dec 12, 2018

The first evidentiary hearing concludes.

Dec 26, 2018

Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky issues a decision denying the petition.

Feb 1, 2019

Petitioner files a Rehearing Request with the Commissioner of the Department of Real Estate.

Feb 22, 2019

The Commissioner grants the Rehearing Request.

Apr 15, 2019

The rehearing convenes and concludes before Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer.

May 7, 2019

OAH issues an order striking a supplemental, post-hearing filing by the Petitioner from the record.

May 10, 2019

Judge Eigenheer issues a final Administrative Law Judge Decision, again dismissing the petition.

——————————————————————————–

II. Petitioner’s Core Allegation

Mr. Sellers’ petition was based on a single issue: the alleged violation of Section 3.10 of the Association’s CC&Rs.

The Violation: The Petitioner claimed the Association failed in its duty to require owners of “Drainage Easement Units” to remove obstructions from a shared stormwater channel.

The Obstructions: The materials of concern included “large succulents, shrubs, and cacti” growing in the drainage area’s rip-rap, as well as chicken wire that at least one owner had installed to contain a pet.

The Perceived Risk: Mr. Sellers testified that these items “could catch storm debris and cause the drainage channel to become clogged,” leading to a risk of flooding for his Unit 12. He submitted videos of heavy rains and flooding in other parts of Cave Creek as evidence of the potential danger.

Financial Impact Claim: The Petitioner was undergoing a contentious divorce, and Unit 12, as a community asset, was for sale under a court order. He asserted that the unresolved drainage issue and his required disclosure of the dispute had reduced the unit’s market price by $40,000.

——————————————————————————–

III. Respondent’s Position and Actions

The Rancho Madera Condominium Association, represented by its President, Jeffrey Kaplan, denied any violation of the CC&Rs and presented a multi-faceted defense.

Lack of Historical Precedent: Mr. Kaplan, an owner since 2012, testified that water had never entered the property from the east, and Unit 12 had never sustained any damage from flooding. This held true even during a “100-year storm in 2014.” After a significant rainstorm in August 2018, he personally inspected the drainage easement and “did not see any water in it.”

Origin of Vegetation: Mr. Kaplan stated that the builder had originally planted the vegetation in the drainage easement that was shown in the Petitioner’s photographic evidence.

Proactive Communication: To address the Petitioner’s concerns, the Board instructed its management company to act. Letters were sent to the relevant homeowners on April 18, 2018, and July 19, 2018, reminding them of their responsibility to keep the easement free of obstructions.

Jurisdictional Confirmation: Mr. Kaplan contacted officials from the Maricopa County Flood Control District and the Town of Cave Creek. Both agencies confirmed the drainage area was not on any official floodplain map, and therefore, the Association was “solely responsible” for its maintenance and enforcement.

Contradictory Evidence: The Association submitted a June 22, 2018 email from the Petitioner’s wife, Debborah Sellers, which directly contradicted the Petitioner’s claims. She wrote, “There has never been any issue with the storm drain behind our house and it is not a major disclosure item… Stop making something out of nothing.” She also referred to his claims as “nonsense.”

——————————————————————————–

IV. Analysis of Governing CC&Rs

The dispute centered on the interpretation of specific sections of the Rancho Madera CC&Rs. The judges in both hearings analyzed these sections to determine the respective duties of the homeowners and the Association.

Section

Provision Summary

Key Language

Establishes a perpetual “Drainage Easement” over the eastern five feet of Units 9 through 18 for stormwater conveyance.

“…for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, repairing and replacing a drainage channel…”

3.10.2

Assigns the primary maintenance duty to the individual unit owners within the easement area.

“Each Unit Owner of a Drainage Easement Unit shall keep his Drainage Easement Area Free of weeds and other debris so that the stormwater can flow freely… No Improvement… shall be… allowed to grow… that may… impede the flow of water…”

3.10.4

Defines the Association’s role in the event of damage resulting from a unit owner’s failure to maintain the easement.

“If the failure of one Unit Owner to maintain his Drainage Easement Area… results in damage… the Association shall repair or replace such damage… and the cost… shall be paid by the Unit Owner that caused the damage…”

13.1.1

Grants the Association the power to enforce the CC&Rs.

“The Association shall have the right to enforce, by any proceeding at law or in equity, all restrictions, conditions, covenants…”

——————————————————————————–

V. Administrative Law Judge Decisions and Rationale

The Petitioner’s case was heard twice and denied both times, with the second decision providing a definitive interpretation of the Association’s duties under the CC&Rs.

Initial Decision (December 26, 2018)

Presiding Judge: Diane Mihalsky

Conclusion: The Petitioner failed to meet his burden of proof “by a preponderance of the evidence.”

Rationale: The judge found a critical failure in the Petitioner’s evidence. While he successfully “established that there are some plants and chicken wire in the stormwater drainage canal,” he “did not establish that the plants or chicken wire impede the flow of water.” The Respondent, in contrast, successfully established that the channel had always “functioned as intended” and that “Unit 12 has never flooded.” The judge concluded there was “no unreasonable risk that Unit 12 will flood.”

Order: The petition was denied.

Rehearing and Final Decision (May 10, 2019)

Presiding Judge: Tammy L. Eigenheer

Context: The rehearing was granted based on the Petitioner’s claims of procedural irregularities and legal errors in the first hearing.

Petitioner’s Refined Argument: During the rehearing, the Petitioner argued that the Association’s right to enforce the CC&Rs (under Section 13.1.1) becomes an obligation when safety and property values are affected.

Conclusion: The petition was dismissed.

Rationale: The final decision hinged on a strict interpretation of the CC&Rs. The judge determined that the documents create a clear hierarchy of responsibility:

1. Unit Owners: Bear the primary responsibility for keeping the easement clear (Section 3.10.2).

2. The Association: Has a responsibility to act only after damage occurs due to an owner’s failure, at which point it must repair the damage and bill the responsible owner (Section 3.10.4).

Final Legal Interpretation: The judge concluded, “While Respondent has the right to enforce the requirements that the Unit Owners keep the Drainage Easement Area clear, nothing in the CC&Rs provides that Respondent has an obligation to do so.” The petition was dismissed because the Petitioner could not prove the Association had violated any actual obligation laid out in the governing documents. This decision was issued as final and binding on the parties.






Study Guide – 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG


Study Guide: Case No. 19F-H1918010-REL, Sellers v. Rancho Madera Condominium Association

This guide provides a detailed review of the administrative legal proceedings between Petitioner John A. Sellers and Respondent Rancho Madera Condominium Association. It is designed to assess comprehension of the case’s facts, legal arguments, and procedural history.

Short-Answer Quiz

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences based on the information provided in the source documents.

1. What was the central allegation John A. Sellers filed against the Rancho Madera Condominium Association on August 23, 2018?

2. Identify the specific sections of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that were central to the dispute.

3. Who is responsible for maintaining the Drainage Easement Area according to CC&R § 3.10.2?

4. What actions did the Association’s management company take in response to the Petitioner’s concerns?

5. What was the testimony of Jeffrey Kaplan, the Association’s President, regarding the history of flooding at Rancho Madera?

6. Why did the Commissioner of the Department of Real Estate grant the Petitioner’s request for a rehearing?

7. What was the procedural outcome of Petitioner Sellers’ attempt to submit supplemental arguments after the April 15, 2019, rehearing?

8. How did Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer distinguish between a “right to enforce” and an “obligation to enforce” in her final decision?

9. What evidence did the Petitioner present to support his claim that the drainage channel was at risk of clogging?

10. What was the final ruling in the Administrative Law Judge Decision dated May 10, 2019?

——————————————————————————–

Answer Key

1. Petitioner John A. Sellers alleged that the Association had violated its CC&Rs, specifically § 3.10, by failing to require condominium owners to remove vegetation and fencing materials from the stormwater channel. Sellers claimed this failure created a risk of flooding for his unit.

2. The central CC&R sections were § 3.10, which establishes the stormwater drainage easement; § 3.10.2, which outlines the maintenance responsibilities of Unit Owners; § 3.10.4, which details the Association’s role in repairing damages; and § 13.1.1, which grants the Association the right to enforce the CC&Rs.

3. According to CC&R § 3.10.2, each individual Unit Owner of a Drainage Easement Unit is responsible for keeping their respective Drainage Easement Area free of weeds and other debris. The text explicitly states that no improvements, including plants, should be allowed that might impede the flow of water.

4. To address the Petitioner’s concerns, the Association’s management company sent letters to the owners of the Drainage Easement Units on April 18, 2018, and July 19, 2018. These letters reminded the owners of their responsibility to keep the easement area clear of obstructions and debris.

5. Jeffrey Kaplan testified that he bought one of the first units in 2012 and that water has never entered Rancho Madera from the east. He specifically noted that no flooding occurred even during the 100-year storm in 2014, and that after a significant rainstorm in August 2018, he inspected the easement and saw no water in it.

6. The Commissioner granted the Rehearing Request “for the reasons outlined in the Petitioners’ Rehearing Request.” The request itself alleged irregularity in the proceedings, newly discovered evidence, errors in the admission of evidence, and that the original decision was arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.

7. After the rehearing concluded, the Petitioner submitted supplemental authority and argument. The Respondent argued this filing was untimely, and Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer ordered the filing to be stricken from the record and closed the record on May 7, 2019.

8. Judge Eigenheer’s decision concluded that while the Association has the right to enforce the CC&Rs under § 13.1.1, nothing in the documents creates an obligation for it to proactively do so regarding maintenance. The only obligation specified is to repair damage after it occurs, with the cost being billed to the responsible unit owner.

9. The Petitioner provided photographs showing large succulents, shrubs, and cacti growing in the rip rap of the Drainage Easement Area. He also showed at least one instance where chicken wire had been placed across the channel to contain a pet, testifying that these items could catch storm debris and cause a clog.

10. The final ruling, issued on May 10, 2019, was that the Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent violated Section 3.10 of the CC&Rs. Therefore, the petition was dismissed, and no action was required of the Respondent.

——————————————————————————–

Essay Questions

Construct detailed essay responses to the following prompts, drawing exclusively from the provided source documents to support your analysis.

1. Trace the complete procedural history of case No. 19F-H1918010-REL from the initial petition to the final order. Detail the key dates, presiding judges, significant filings, and the outcome of each stage of the proceedings.

2. Analyze the legal reasoning used by the Administrative Law Judges in both the initial decision (December 26, 2018) and the rehearing decision (May 10, 2019). Compare and contrast their interpretations of the CC&Rs and the standard of “preponderance of the evidence.”

3. Evaluate the evidence and arguments presented by both the Petitioner, John A. Sellers, and the Respondent, represented by Jeffrey Kaplan. What were the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s case as detailed in the hearing summaries?

4. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Unit Owners versus the Condominium Association as defined by CC&R Sections 3.10, 3.10.2, 3.10.4, and 13.1.1. How did the interpretation of these sections ultimately determine the outcome of the case?

5. Examine the external factors mentioned in the hearings, such as the Petitioner’s divorce, the market value of his unit, and communications with the Maricopa County Flood Control District. How did the Administrative Law Judge address these issues and determine their relevance (or irrelevance) to the central legal question?

——————————————————————————–

Glossary of Key Terms

Definition

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

An independent judge who presides over administrative hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings. In this case, Diane Mihalsky presided over the initial hearing and Tammy L. Eigenheer presided over the rehearing.

CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions)

The governing legal documents that set forth the rules for the Rancho Madera condominium development.

Common Elements

Areas within the condominium development designed for common use, such as areas for stormwater conveyance mentioned in the CC&Rs.

Drainage Easement Area

The eastern five feet of Units 9 through 18, over which a perpetual non-exclusive drainage easement was created for the purpose of stormwater drainage.

Drainage Improvements

The drainage channel constructed within the Drainage Easement Area, which may consist of decomposed granite, rip rap (large stones), or concrete.

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

An independent state agency in Arizona that conducts evidentiary hearings for other state agencies, such as the Department of Real Estate.

Petitioner

The party who files a petition initiating a legal case. In this matter, the Petitioner is John A. Sellers.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof in this administrative hearing. It is defined as evidence that is sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of an issue rather than the other, making the contention more probably true than not.

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this matter, the Respondent is the Rancho Madera Condominium Association.

Restrictive Covenant

A provision in a deed or other legal document that limits the use of a property. The CC&Rs in this case are a form of restrictive covenant.

Unit Owner

An individual who owns a condominium unit within the development and is a member of the owners’ association.






Blog Post – 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG


I Read an Entire HOA Lawsuit. Here Are 4 Shocking Lessons About Power, Rules, and Reality.

The Anatomy of a Neighborhood War

Living under a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) often means navigating a complex world of rules, regulations, and neighborhood politics. For most, disagreements are minor annoyances. But sometimes, a seemingly small issue can escalate into a full-blown legal war.

This is the story of one homeowner’s single-minded crusade against his HOA over a stormwater drainage channel he believed was a serious flooding risk. After filing a formal petition, the dispute escalated into a multi-stage legal battle that spanned nearly a year. The official court documents reveal that even after a judge ruled decisively against him, the homeowner doubled down, demanding a rare rehearing.

A deep dive into this protracted case reveals a fascinating and cautionary tale. The legal reasoning that ultimately settled the matter highlights several surprising lessons that apply to anyone living in a planned community.

1. Proving a Rule Was Broken Isn’t the Same as Proving Harm

The initial hearing, held before Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky in late 2018, centered on a seemingly straightforward argument from the petitioner, John Sellers. He pointed out that his neighbors had placed plants—including large succulents, shrubs, and cacti—as well as chicken wire in a stormwater drainage channel. This, he argued, was a clear violation of the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which stated that no improvement “shall be constructed, installed or allowed to grow… that may… impede the flow of water.”

But in her December 26, 2018 decision, the judge ruled against him. While Sellers successfully proved the obstructions existed, he failed to meet the legal burden of proof that they actually “impede the flow of water.” His claim was defeated by testimony from the HOA President, Jeffrey Kaplan, who stated that the unit had never sustained any flood damage, not even during a “100-year storm in 2014.”

The lesson from this first round is stark: in this legal context, simply pointing out a technical rule break was not enough. The petitioner had to prove that the violation was causing a tangible, negative impact. Without evidence of actual harm or impeded water flow, the theoretical risk was insufficient to win the case.

2. An HOA’s “Right” to Enforce Is Not an “Obligation”

After losing the first round on a question of evidence, Sellers’ argument evolved. He requested a rehearing, which was granted, and the case landed before a new judge, Tammy L. Eigenheer, in the spring of 2019. This shifted the legal focus from physical proof of impeded water flow to a more fundamental question of the HOA’s duties.

Sellers argued that because safety and property values were at stake, the association had a duty to enforce the CC&Rs and compel his neighbors to clear the drainage channel. He contended that at a certain point, an organization’s “right” to act becomes an “obligation.”

The judge’s final decision on May 10, 2019, was clear, absolute, and is where the most powerful lesson of the entire case lies.

“While Respondent has the right to enforce the requirements that the Unit Owners keep the Drainage Easement Area clear, nothing in the CC&Rs provides that Respondent has an obligation to do so.”

This distinction is critical for any homeowner. An HOA can possess the legal power to act but may not be legally compelled to use it. According to the judge’s interpretation, the governing documents placed the responsibility for keeping the channel clear on the individual unit owners. The association’s only stated obligation was to repair damage after it happened, with the cost being billed back to the responsible party.

3. Outside Conflicts Can Cast a Long Shadow

Legal disputes are rarely just about the facts of the case. During the initial hearing, it was revealed that the petitioner was going through a “contentious divorce” and that the condo unit at the center of the dispute was a community asset being sold by the court.

The most dramatic evidence, however, came from an email written by the petitioner’s own wife, Debborah Sellers. The email, submitted as evidence by the HOA, directly undermined his claims about the severity of the drainage issue.

“There has never been any issue with the storm drain behind our house and it is not a major disclosure item… Stop making something out of nothing. AND I HOPE YOU AREN[’]T FREAKING POTENTIAL BUYERS AND OTHER REALTORS WITH THIS NONSENSE.”

In her decision, Judge Mihalsky officially stated that the divorce was “not relevant” to the technical question of whether the HOA violated the CC&Rs. However, she immediately added that the situation “cast a long shadow over his administrative complaint,” suggesting that the personal context, and especially the damaging email, severely harmed the petitioner’s credibility.

4. Writing Letters Isn’t the Same as Being Heard

Throughout the dispute, the petitioner made his concerns known by writing “many letters” to the HOA president. He was persistent in his written communications, attempting to force the issue onto the association’s radar.

Yet, this effort was contrasted with a notable lack of direct participation. According to the testimony of HOA President Kaplan during the first hearing, Sellers “never attended any of Respondent’s noticed Board meetings” where his concerns could have been discussed among the board members.

The HOA’s response to his letters was limited; it sent two general reminder letters to all residents in the affected area but did not take direct enforcement action against any specific homeowner. The practical takeaway is that to effect change or be taken seriously in an HOA dispute, visibility and participation are critical. Writing letters is a start, but attending official meetings to present a case in person can be a more effective strategy for ensuring an issue is formally addressed.

A Cautionary Tale for Any Homeowner

What began as a seemingly straightforward complaint about drainage and rule enforcement devolved into a legal battle that consumed nearly a year, involving two multi-day hearings before two different administrative law judges. The petitioner lost his case on the evidence, then lost it again on the law.

It serves as a potent cautionary tale, demonstrating that in the world of HOA disputes, the obvious path is not always the winning one. It leaves every homeowner with a final, thought-provoking question to ponder: When you see a problem in your community, how do you decide if a fight is worth the cost—not just in money, but in time, credibility, and peace?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • John A Sellers (petitioner)
    Appeared on his own behalf

Respondent Side

  • Edward D. O'Brien (respondent attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen, PLC/LLP
  • Edith I. Rudder (respondent attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen, PLC/LLP
  • Jeffrey Kaplan (board president/witness)
    Rancho Madera Condominium Association
    President of Respondent, testified

Neutral Parties

  • Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    ALJ for initial proceedings
  • Tammy L. Eigenheer (ALJ)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    ALJ for rehearing proceedings
  • Judy Lowe (commissioner (ADRE))
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
  • LDettorre (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • AHansen (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • djones (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • DGardner (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • ncano (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • c. serrano (clerk)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    Transmittal/filing clerk
  • F. Del Sol (clerk)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    Transmittal/filing clerk

Other Participants

  • Debborah Sellers (witness/spouse)
    Petitioner's wife, testimony via email submitted by Respondent

John A Sellers v. Rancho Madera Condominium Association

Note: A Rehearing was requested for this case. The dashboard statistics reflect the final outcome of the rehearing process.

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-05-10
Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner John A Sellers Counsel
Respondent Rancho Madera Condominium Association Counsel Edward D. O'Brien, Edith I. Rudder

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs § 3.10, 3.10.2, 3.10.4

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition following a rehearing, concluding that the Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof by establishing that the Respondent HOA violated its CC&Rs. The governing documents grant the HOA the right, but not the obligation, to enforce maintenance duties specifically assigned to Unit Owners concerning the drainage easement.

Why this result: Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent violated the CC&Rs because the HOA was found to have a right to enforce maintenance of the drainage easement, but not a mandatory obligation to do so under the terms of the CC&Rs.

Key Issues & Findings

HOA failure to enforce unit owner maintenance obligations regarding stormwater drainage easement

Petitioner alleged that the Respondent HOA violated the CC&Rs by failing to enforce unit owner responsibility to keep the stormwater drainage area free of obstructions like vegetation and fencing materials, potentially causing a risk of flooding to his unit.

Orders: The petition was dismissed. The Administrative Law Judge determined that the CC&Rs assign Unit Owners the responsibility to clear the drainage area and grant the HOA the right, but not an obligation, to enforce this maintenance.

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • MORRIS K. UDALL, ARIZONA LAW OF EVIDENCE § 5 (1960)
  • BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY at page 1220 (8th ed. 1999)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553, 556 ¶ 9, 125 P.3d 373, 376 (2006)
  • Lookout Mountain Paradise Hills Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Viewpoint Assocs., 867 P.2d 70, 75 (Colo. App. 1993)

Analytics Highlights

Topics: HOA, CC&Rs, Drainage Easement, Enforcement Obligation, Condominium Unit Owner
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.01
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.08(H)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • Vazanno v. Superior Court, 74 Ariz. 369, 372, 249 P.2d 837 (1952)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553, 556 ¶ 9, 125 P.3d 373, 376 (2006)
  • Lookout Mountain Paradise Hills Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Viewpoint Assocs., 867 P.2d 70, 75 (Colo. App. 1993)

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – 706533.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:26:28 (42.2 KB)

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – 707530.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:26:34 (111.5 KB)

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – ../19F-H1918010-REL/667122.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:26:37 (50.0 KB)

19F-H1918010-REL-RHG Decision – ../19F-H1918010-REL/678371.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:26:40 (129.5 KB)





Briefing Doc – 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG


Dispute Analysis: Sellers vs. Rancho Madera Condominium Association

Executive Summary

This briefing document synthesizes the legal proceedings and outcomes of a dispute between homeowner John A. Sellers (Petitioner) and the Rancho Madera Condominium Association (Respondent). The core of the conflict was Mr. Sellers’ allegation that the Association violated its Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) by failing to compel other homeowners to remove vegetation and fencing from a common stormwater drainage channel, thereby creating a flood risk to his property, Unit 12.

The case was adjudicated by the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) in a process that included an initial hearing, a decision, a granted request for rehearing, and a final binding decision. In both instances, the Administrative Law Judge ruled against the Petitioner.

The initial decision, issued in December 2018, concluded that Mr. Sellers failed to provide sufficient evidence that the materials in the channel actually impeded water flow or posed an unreasonable flood risk. The ruling highlighted that the channel had functioned as intended since 2012 without any flooding incidents. Following a rehearing in April 2019, the second and final decision in May 2019 reinforced this conclusion. It further clarified a crucial distinction in the CC&Rs: while the Association possesses the right to enforce maintenance rules upon homeowners, the governing documents do not impose an explicit obligation to do so proactively before any damage has occurred. The responsibility for maintaining the drainage area rests with the individual unit owners, and the Association’s primary duty is to repair damages after the fact, billing the responsible owner. The petition was ultimately dismissed.

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I. Case Overview

This case documents a formal complaint filed by a homeowner against his condominium association, which was resolved through the Arizona Department of Real Estate and the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Case Number: 19F-H1918010-REL

Petitioner: John A. Sellers, owner of Unit 12 in Rancho Madera

Respondent: Rancho Madera Condominium Association, a 46-unit development in Cave Creek, Arizona.

Venue: Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

Key Chronology of Events

Aug 23, 2018

Petitioner files a single-issue petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

Oct 23, 2018

An OAH order vacates the initial hearing after the Petitioner indicates a wish to withdraw the petition.

Nov 5, 2018

The first evidentiary hearing convenes, indicating the withdrawal was rescinded.

Dec 12, 2018

The first evidentiary hearing concludes.

Dec 26, 2018

Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky issues a decision denying the petition.

Feb 1, 2019

Petitioner files a Rehearing Request with the Commissioner of the Department of Real Estate.

Feb 22, 2019

The Commissioner grants the Rehearing Request.

Apr 15, 2019

The rehearing convenes and concludes before Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer.

May 7, 2019

OAH issues an order striking a supplemental, post-hearing filing by the Petitioner from the record.

May 10, 2019

Judge Eigenheer issues a final Administrative Law Judge Decision, again dismissing the petition.

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II. Petitioner’s Core Allegation

Mr. Sellers’ petition was based on a single issue: the alleged violation of Section 3.10 of the Association’s CC&Rs.

The Violation: The Petitioner claimed the Association failed in its duty to require owners of “Drainage Easement Units” to remove obstructions from a shared stormwater channel.

The Obstructions: The materials of concern included “large succulents, shrubs, and cacti” growing in the drainage area’s rip-rap, as well as chicken wire that at least one owner had installed to contain a pet.

The Perceived Risk: Mr. Sellers testified that these items “could catch storm debris and cause the drainage channel to become clogged,” leading to a risk of flooding for his Unit 12. He submitted videos of heavy rains and flooding in other parts of Cave Creek as evidence of the potential danger.

Financial Impact Claim: The Petitioner was undergoing a contentious divorce, and Unit 12, as a community asset, was for sale under a court order. He asserted that the unresolved drainage issue and his required disclosure of the dispute had reduced the unit’s market price by $40,000.

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III. Respondent’s Position and Actions

The Rancho Madera Condominium Association, represented by its President, Jeffrey Kaplan, denied any violation of the CC&Rs and presented a multi-faceted defense.

Lack of Historical Precedent: Mr. Kaplan, an owner since 2012, testified that water had never entered the property from the east, and Unit 12 had never sustained any damage from flooding. This held true even during a “100-year storm in 2014.” After a significant rainstorm in August 2018, he personally inspected the drainage easement and “did not see any water in it.”

Origin of Vegetation: Mr. Kaplan stated that the builder had originally planted the vegetation in the drainage easement that was shown in the Petitioner’s photographic evidence.

Proactive Communication: To address the Petitioner’s concerns, the Board instructed its management company to act. Letters were sent to the relevant homeowners on April 18, 2018, and July 19, 2018, reminding them of their responsibility to keep the easement free of obstructions.

Jurisdictional Confirmation: Mr. Kaplan contacted officials from the Maricopa County Flood Control District and the Town of Cave Creek. Both agencies confirmed the drainage area was not on any official floodplain map, and therefore, the Association was “solely responsible” for its maintenance and enforcement.

Contradictory Evidence: The Association submitted a June 22, 2018 email from the Petitioner’s wife, Debborah Sellers, which directly contradicted the Petitioner’s claims. She wrote, “There has never been any issue with the storm drain behind our house and it is not a major disclosure item… Stop making something out of nothing.” She also referred to his claims as “nonsense.”

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IV. Analysis of Governing CC&Rs

The dispute centered on the interpretation of specific sections of the Rancho Madera CC&Rs. The judges in both hearings analyzed these sections to determine the respective duties of the homeowners and the Association.

Section

Provision Summary

Key Language

Establishes a perpetual “Drainage Easement” over the eastern five feet of Units 9 through 18 for stormwater conveyance.

“…for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, repairing and replacing a drainage channel…”

3.10.2

Assigns the primary maintenance duty to the individual unit owners within the easement area.

“Each Unit Owner of a Drainage Easement Unit shall keep his Drainage Easement Area Free of weeds and other debris so that the stormwater can flow freely… No Improvement… shall be… allowed to grow… that may… impede the flow of water…”

3.10.4

Defines the Association’s role in the event of damage resulting from a unit owner’s failure to maintain the easement.

“If the failure of one Unit Owner to maintain his Drainage Easement Area… results in damage… the Association shall repair or replace such damage… and the cost… shall be paid by the Unit Owner that caused the damage…”

13.1.1

Grants the Association the power to enforce the CC&Rs.

“The Association shall have the right to enforce, by any proceeding at law or in equity, all restrictions, conditions, covenants…”

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V. Administrative Law Judge Decisions and Rationale

The Petitioner’s case was heard twice and denied both times, with the second decision providing a definitive interpretation of the Association’s duties under the CC&Rs.

Initial Decision (December 26, 2018)

Presiding Judge: Diane Mihalsky

Conclusion: The Petitioner failed to meet his burden of proof “by a preponderance of the evidence.”

Rationale: The judge found a critical failure in the Petitioner’s evidence. While he successfully “established that there are some plants and chicken wire in the stormwater drainage canal,” he “did not establish that the plants or chicken wire impede the flow of water.” The Respondent, in contrast, successfully established that the channel had always “functioned as intended” and that “Unit 12 has never flooded.” The judge concluded there was “no unreasonable risk that Unit 12 will flood.”

Order: The petition was denied.

Rehearing and Final Decision (May 10, 2019)

Presiding Judge: Tammy L. Eigenheer

Context: The rehearing was granted based on the Petitioner’s claims of procedural irregularities and legal errors in the first hearing.

Petitioner’s Refined Argument: During the rehearing, the Petitioner argued that the Association’s right to enforce the CC&Rs (under Section 13.1.1) becomes an obligation when safety and property values are affected.

Conclusion: The petition was dismissed.

Rationale: The final decision hinged on a strict interpretation of the CC&Rs. The judge determined that the documents create a clear hierarchy of responsibility:

1. Unit Owners: Bear the primary responsibility for keeping the easement clear (Section 3.10.2).

2. The Association: Has a responsibility to act only after damage occurs due to an owner’s failure, at which point it must repair the damage and bill the responsible owner (Section 3.10.4).

Final Legal Interpretation: The judge concluded, “While Respondent has the right to enforce the requirements that the Unit Owners keep the Drainage Easement Area clear, nothing in the CC&Rs provides that Respondent has an obligation to do so.” The petition was dismissed because the Petitioner could not prove the Association had violated any actual obligation laid out in the governing documents. This decision was issued as final and binding on the parties.






Study Guide – 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG


Study Guide: Case No. 19F-H1918010-REL, Sellers v. Rancho Madera Condominium Association

This guide provides a detailed review of the administrative legal proceedings between Petitioner John A. Sellers and Respondent Rancho Madera Condominium Association. It is designed to assess comprehension of the case’s facts, legal arguments, and procedural history.

Short-Answer Quiz

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences based on the information provided in the source documents.

1. What was the central allegation John A. Sellers filed against the Rancho Madera Condominium Association on August 23, 2018?

2. Identify the specific sections of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that were central to the dispute.

3. Who is responsible for maintaining the Drainage Easement Area according to CC&R § 3.10.2?

4. What actions did the Association’s management company take in response to the Petitioner’s concerns?

5. What was the testimony of Jeffrey Kaplan, the Association’s President, regarding the history of flooding at Rancho Madera?

6. Why did the Commissioner of the Department of Real Estate grant the Petitioner’s request for a rehearing?

7. What was the procedural outcome of Petitioner Sellers’ attempt to submit supplemental arguments after the April 15, 2019, rehearing?

8. How did Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer distinguish between a “right to enforce” and an “obligation to enforce” in her final decision?

9. What evidence did the Petitioner present to support his claim that the drainage channel was at risk of clogging?

10. What was the final ruling in the Administrative Law Judge Decision dated May 10, 2019?

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Answer Key

1. Petitioner John A. Sellers alleged that the Association had violated its CC&Rs, specifically § 3.10, by failing to require condominium owners to remove vegetation and fencing materials from the stormwater channel. Sellers claimed this failure created a risk of flooding for his unit.

2. The central CC&R sections were § 3.10, which establishes the stormwater drainage easement; § 3.10.2, which outlines the maintenance responsibilities of Unit Owners; § 3.10.4, which details the Association’s role in repairing damages; and § 13.1.1, which grants the Association the right to enforce the CC&Rs.

3. According to CC&R § 3.10.2, each individual Unit Owner of a Drainage Easement Unit is responsible for keeping their respective Drainage Easement Area free of weeds and other debris. The text explicitly states that no improvements, including plants, should be allowed that might impede the flow of water.

4. To address the Petitioner’s concerns, the Association’s management company sent letters to the owners of the Drainage Easement Units on April 18, 2018, and July 19, 2018. These letters reminded the owners of their responsibility to keep the easement area clear of obstructions and debris.

5. Jeffrey Kaplan testified that he bought one of the first units in 2012 and that water has never entered Rancho Madera from the east. He specifically noted that no flooding occurred even during the 100-year storm in 2014, and that after a significant rainstorm in August 2018, he inspected the easement and saw no water in it.

6. The Commissioner granted the Rehearing Request “for the reasons outlined in the Petitioners’ Rehearing Request.” The request itself alleged irregularity in the proceedings, newly discovered evidence, errors in the admission of evidence, and that the original decision was arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.

7. After the rehearing concluded, the Petitioner submitted supplemental authority and argument. The Respondent argued this filing was untimely, and Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer ordered the filing to be stricken from the record and closed the record on May 7, 2019.

8. Judge Eigenheer’s decision concluded that while the Association has the right to enforce the CC&Rs under § 13.1.1, nothing in the documents creates an obligation for it to proactively do so regarding maintenance. The only obligation specified is to repair damage after it occurs, with the cost being billed to the responsible unit owner.

9. The Petitioner provided photographs showing large succulents, shrubs, and cacti growing in the rip rap of the Drainage Easement Area. He also showed at least one instance where chicken wire had been placed across the channel to contain a pet, testifying that these items could catch storm debris and cause a clog.

10. The final ruling, issued on May 10, 2019, was that the Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent violated Section 3.10 of the CC&Rs. Therefore, the petition was dismissed, and no action was required of the Respondent.

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Essay Questions

Construct detailed essay responses to the following prompts, drawing exclusively from the provided source documents to support your analysis.

1. Trace the complete procedural history of case No. 19F-H1918010-REL from the initial petition to the final order. Detail the key dates, presiding judges, significant filings, and the outcome of each stage of the proceedings.

2. Analyze the legal reasoning used by the Administrative Law Judges in both the initial decision (December 26, 2018) and the rehearing decision (May 10, 2019). Compare and contrast their interpretations of the CC&Rs and the standard of “preponderance of the evidence.”

3. Evaluate the evidence and arguments presented by both the Petitioner, John A. Sellers, and the Respondent, represented by Jeffrey Kaplan. What were the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s case as detailed in the hearing summaries?

4. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Unit Owners versus the Condominium Association as defined by CC&R Sections 3.10, 3.10.2, 3.10.4, and 13.1.1. How did the interpretation of these sections ultimately determine the outcome of the case?

5. Examine the external factors mentioned in the hearings, such as the Petitioner’s divorce, the market value of his unit, and communications with the Maricopa County Flood Control District. How did the Administrative Law Judge address these issues and determine their relevance (or irrelevance) to the central legal question?

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Glossary of Key Terms

Definition

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

An independent judge who presides over administrative hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings. In this case, Diane Mihalsky presided over the initial hearing and Tammy L. Eigenheer presided over the rehearing.

CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions)

The governing legal documents that set forth the rules for the Rancho Madera condominium development.

Common Elements

Areas within the condominium development designed for common use, such as areas for stormwater conveyance mentioned in the CC&Rs.

Drainage Easement Area

The eastern five feet of Units 9 through 18, over which a perpetual non-exclusive drainage easement was created for the purpose of stormwater drainage.

Drainage Improvements

The drainage channel constructed within the Drainage Easement Area, which may consist of decomposed granite, rip rap (large stones), or concrete.

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

An independent state agency in Arizona that conducts evidentiary hearings for other state agencies, such as the Department of Real Estate.

Petitioner

The party who files a petition initiating a legal case. In this matter, the Petitioner is John A. Sellers.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof in this administrative hearing. It is defined as evidence that is sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of an issue rather than the other, making the contention more probably true than not.

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this matter, the Respondent is the Rancho Madera Condominium Association.

Restrictive Covenant

A provision in a deed or other legal document that limits the use of a property. The CC&Rs in this case are a form of restrictive covenant.

Unit Owner

An individual who owns a condominium unit within the development and is a member of the owners’ association.






Blog Post – 19F-H1918010-REL-RHG


I Read an Entire HOA Lawsuit. Here Are 4 Shocking Lessons About Power, Rules, and Reality.

The Anatomy of a Neighborhood War

Living under a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) often means navigating a complex world of rules, regulations, and neighborhood politics. For most, disagreements are minor annoyances. But sometimes, a seemingly small issue can escalate into a full-blown legal war.

This is the story of one homeowner’s single-minded crusade against his HOA over a stormwater drainage channel he believed was a serious flooding risk. After filing a formal petition, the dispute escalated into a multi-stage legal battle that spanned nearly a year. The official court documents reveal that even after a judge ruled decisively against him, the homeowner doubled down, demanding a rare rehearing.

A deep dive into this protracted case reveals a fascinating and cautionary tale. The legal reasoning that ultimately settled the matter highlights several surprising lessons that apply to anyone living in a planned community.

1. Proving a Rule Was Broken Isn’t the Same as Proving Harm

The initial hearing, held before Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky in late 2018, centered on a seemingly straightforward argument from the petitioner, John Sellers. He pointed out that his neighbors had placed plants—including large succulents, shrubs, and cacti—as well as chicken wire in a stormwater drainage channel. This, he argued, was a clear violation of the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which stated that no improvement “shall be constructed, installed or allowed to grow… that may… impede the flow of water.”

But in her December 26, 2018 decision, the judge ruled against him. While Sellers successfully proved the obstructions existed, he failed to meet the legal burden of proof that they actually “impede the flow of water.” His claim was defeated by testimony from the HOA President, Jeffrey Kaplan, who stated that the unit had never sustained any flood damage, not even during a “100-year storm in 2014.”

The lesson from this first round is stark: in this legal context, simply pointing out a technical rule break was not enough. The petitioner had to prove that the violation was causing a tangible, negative impact. Without evidence of actual harm or impeded water flow, the theoretical risk was insufficient to win the case.

2. An HOA’s “Right” to Enforce Is Not an “Obligation”

After losing the first round on a question of evidence, Sellers’ argument evolved. He requested a rehearing, which was granted, and the case landed before a new judge, Tammy L. Eigenheer, in the spring of 2019. This shifted the legal focus from physical proof of impeded water flow to a more fundamental question of the HOA’s duties.

Sellers argued that because safety and property values were at stake, the association had a duty to enforce the CC&Rs and compel his neighbors to clear the drainage channel. He contended that at a certain point, an organization’s “right” to act becomes an “obligation.”

The judge’s final decision on May 10, 2019, was clear, absolute, and is where the most powerful lesson of the entire case lies.

“While Respondent has the right to enforce the requirements that the Unit Owners keep the Drainage Easement Area clear, nothing in the CC&Rs provides that Respondent has an obligation to do so.”

This distinction is critical for any homeowner. An HOA can possess the legal power to act but may not be legally compelled to use it. According to the judge’s interpretation, the governing documents placed the responsibility for keeping the channel clear on the individual unit owners. The association’s only stated obligation was to repair damage after it happened, with the cost being billed back to the responsible party.

3. Outside Conflicts Can Cast a Long Shadow

Legal disputes are rarely just about the facts of the case. During the initial hearing, it was revealed that the petitioner was going through a “contentious divorce” and that the condo unit at the center of the dispute was a community asset being sold by the court.

The most dramatic evidence, however, came from an email written by the petitioner’s own wife, Debborah Sellers. The email, submitted as evidence by the HOA, directly undermined his claims about the severity of the drainage issue.

“There has never been any issue with the storm drain behind our house and it is not a major disclosure item… Stop making something out of nothing. AND I HOPE YOU AREN[’]T FREAKING POTENTIAL BUYERS AND OTHER REALTORS WITH THIS NONSENSE.”

In her decision, Judge Mihalsky officially stated that the divorce was “not relevant” to the technical question of whether the HOA violated the CC&Rs. However, she immediately added that the situation “cast a long shadow over his administrative complaint,” suggesting that the personal context, and especially the damaging email, severely harmed the petitioner’s credibility.

4. Writing Letters Isn’t the Same as Being Heard

Throughout the dispute, the petitioner made his concerns known by writing “many letters” to the HOA president. He was persistent in his written communications, attempting to force the issue onto the association’s radar.

Yet, this effort was contrasted with a notable lack of direct participation. According to the testimony of HOA President Kaplan during the first hearing, Sellers “never attended any of Respondent’s noticed Board meetings” where his concerns could have been discussed among the board members.

The HOA’s response to his letters was limited; it sent two general reminder letters to all residents in the affected area but did not take direct enforcement action against any specific homeowner. The practical takeaway is that to effect change or be taken seriously in an HOA dispute, visibility and participation are critical. Writing letters is a start, but attending official meetings to present a case in person can be a more effective strategy for ensuring an issue is formally addressed.

A Cautionary Tale for Any Homeowner

What began as a seemingly straightforward complaint about drainage and rule enforcement devolved into a legal battle that consumed nearly a year, involving two multi-day hearings before two different administrative law judges. The petitioner lost his case on the evidence, then lost it again on the law.

It serves as a potent cautionary tale, demonstrating that in the world of HOA disputes, the obvious path is not always the winning one. It leaves every homeowner with a final, thought-provoking question to ponder: When you see a problem in your community, how do you decide if a fight is worth the cost—not just in money, but in time, credibility, and peace?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • John A Sellers (petitioner)
    Appeared on his own behalf

Respondent Side

  • Edward D. O'Brien (respondent attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen, PLC/LLP
  • Edith I. Rudder (respondent attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen, PLC/LLP
  • Jeffrey Kaplan (board president/witness)
    Rancho Madera Condominium Association
    President of Respondent, testified

Neutral Parties

  • Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    ALJ for initial proceedings
  • Tammy L. Eigenheer (ALJ)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    ALJ for rehearing proceedings
  • Judy Lowe (commissioner (ADRE))
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
  • LDettorre (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • AHansen (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • djones (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • DGardner (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • ncano (ADRE staff)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Recipient of official orders
  • c. serrano (clerk)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    Transmittal/filing clerk
  • F. Del Sol (clerk)
    Office of Administrative Hearings
    Transmittal/filing clerk

Other Participants

  • Debborah Sellers (witness/spouse)
    Petitioner's wife, testimony via email submitted by Respondent

Michael Stoltenberg vs Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1918038-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-04-03
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner Michael Stoltenberg Counsel
Respondent Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association Counsel Nicole D. Payne

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs §§ 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, and 14.2

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge denied the petition, concluding that the HOA acted in accordance with its governing documents (CC&Rs § 4.1) by imposing uniform assessments. The CC&Rs did not provide an exception for reduced assessments based on an owner's choice of landscaping (rock yard) or refusal of HOA maintenance services.

Why this result: Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof that the Respondent violated its CC&Rs, as CC&R § 4.1 requires uniform assessment and no provision requires or allows Respondent to assess Petitioner less due to his rock yard and refusal of maintenance.

Key Issues & Findings

HOA Assessment Uniformity Requirement

Petitioner, who had rock landscaping and refused HOA maintenance, alleged the HOA violated CC&Rs by assessing him uniform dues, arguing he should pay less since HOA expenditures on lawn maintenance were substantial and primarily benefited neighbors with grass yards.

Orders: Petitioner's petition is denied.

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • CC&Rs § 4.1
  • CC&Rs § 5.1(a)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553
  • Vazanno v. Superior Court, 74 Ariz. 369

Analytics Highlights

Topics: HOA Assessment, Uniform Dues, CC&R Enforcement, Landscaping Maintenance
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • MORRIS K. UDALL, ARIZONA LAW OF EVIDENCE § 5 (1960)
  • BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY at page 1220 (8th ed. 1999)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553, 556 ¶ 9, 125 P.3d 373, 376 (2006)
  • Vazanno v. Superior Court, 74 Ariz. 369, 372, 249 P.2d 837 (1952)
  • Lookout Mountain Paradise Hills Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Viewpoint Assocs., 867 P.2d 70, 75 (Colo. App. 1993)

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1918038-REL Decision – 698869.pdf

Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:33:59 (141.7 KB)





Briefing Doc – 19F-H1918038-REL


Briefing Document: Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association

Executive Summary

This document synthesizes the findings from the Administrative Law Judge Decision in case number 19F-H1918038-REL, concerning a dispute between homeowner Michael Stoltenberg and the Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association (HOA). The core conflict centered on Mr. Stoltenberg’s claim that he should pay lower HOA assessments because his property has rock landscaping, while his neighbors have grass yards requiring more costly maintenance by the HOA.

The Administrative Law Judge ultimately denied the petition. The decision rested on an unambiguous interpretation of the HOA’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). The Judge found that the CC&Rs explicitly obligate the HOA to maintain landscaping on all individual lots and, crucially, require assessments to be uniform for all members to cover these “common expenses.” The petitioner’s argument for a reduced assessment was unsupported by any provision in the governing documents. Furthermore, evidence showed that Mr. Stoltenberg had actively refused the HOA access to his property to install a community irrigation system and to perform the very landscaping maintenance that is a central component of the assessments.

Case Overview

Case Number: 19F-H1918038-REL

Parties Involved:

Petitioner: Michael Stoltenberg, a homeowner at 11777 E. Calle Gaudi, Rancho Del Oro.

Respondent: Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association (HOA).

Hearing Date: March 19, 2019

Presiding Judge: Diane Mihalsky, Administrative Law Judge

Core Allegation: On December 29, 2018, the Petitioner filed a petition alleging the HOA violated multiple sections of its CC&Rs (§§ 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, and 14.2) by levying the same assessment fees on his property as on neighboring properties with grass lawns.

Petitioner’s Position and Evidence (Michael Stoltenberg)

The Petitioner’s case was built on the argument of fairness, contending that his assessment should be lower because his property does not utilize the HOA’s most expensive landscaping services.

Primary Argument: It is inequitable for the HOA to charge him the same amount as neighbors with grass yards, given that his front yard is rock and does not receive the same level of maintenance.

Financial Evidence: The Petitioner testified that in 2016, the HOA spent $54,000 on lawn maintenance and landscaping, which constituted 39% of its total budget.

Refusal of Services: The Petitioner acknowledged that he refused to allow the HOA access to his property for two key purposes:

1. To install irrigation pipes connecting his lot to a new community well.

2. To perform any landscape maintenance on his front yard.

Justification for Refusal: The Petitioner accused the HOA of previously killing his trees during maintenance activities and stated that he now undertakes all maintenance of his own yard.

Respondent’s Position and Evidence (Rancho Del Oro HOA)

The HOA’s defense was grounded in its adherence to the plain language of its governing documents, arguing that its actions were not only permissible but mandated by the CC&Rs.

Primary Argument: The HOA is legally bound by its CC&Rs to levy uniform assessments on all members and is simultaneously obligated to maintain the landscaping on every individual lot.

Key Testimony (Diana Crites, Property Manager):

◦ CC&R § 5.1(a) explicitly requires the HOA to maintain the yards of its members.

◦ CC&R § 4.1 requires all owners to be assessed uniformly, without regard to the type of landscaping they have chosen or whether they permit the HOA to perform its maintenance duties.

◦ The Petitioner’s property is one of eight constructed by a different developer, who did not originally install grass or an irrigation system.

◦ The HOA has since drilled a community well to address water costs and has offered to remove rock and install grass for these properties, an offer the Petitioner could accept.

Supporting Evidence (Letter from Dawn Simpson, former bookkeeper):

◦ A 2013 HOA project was initiated to install a community well for landscaping and to connect all homes, including the Petitioner’s.

◦ The letter details an incident where the Petitioner “became very heated with [the] contractor” and “declared that no one was to enter his yard for any purpose.”

◦ This action directly halted all construction to connect his property to the irrigation system and ceased all landscaping services provided by the HOA.

Analysis of Governing Documents (CC&Rs)

The judge’s decision centered on the clear, unambiguous language of specific articles within the CC&Rs. The petitioner failed to identify any language that would permit or require a non-uniform assessment.

CC&R Section

Key Language

Implication & Ruling

Article IV, Section 4.1

Assessments “shall be used for the… common benefit… of the Owners” and “shall constitute common expenses for which the apartment owners shall be severally liable in proportion to their respective common interests.”

This establishes the principle of uniform, shared liability for common expenses, regardless of an individual owner’s specific use of a particular service.

Article V, Section 5.1(a)

“The Association shall maintain… landscaping… It shall also include maintenance of the landscaping on individual Lots outside of structures.”

This article imposes a direct obligation on the HOA to maintain all members’ landscaping, not merely an optional service.

Legal Conclusions and Final Order

Burden of Proof: The decision established that the Petitioner, Mr. Stoltenberg, held the burden to prove by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the HOA had violated its CC&Rs.

Interpretation of Covenants: In Arizona, unambiguous restrictive covenants are enforced to give effect to the intent of the parties. The judge found the CC&Rs to be unambiguous, requiring a holistic interpretation. The documents clearly mandate that the HOA must maintain all yards and must assess all members equally to fund that maintenance.

Final Ruling: The Petitioner did not meet his burden of proof. He failed to point to any provision within the CC&Rs that “allows, much less requires, Respondent to assess Petitioner less because he has a rock yard and will not allow Respondent to maintain his yard.”

Order: The petition was denied. The HOA’s practice of charging uniform assessments was upheld as compliant with its governing documents.






Study Guide – 19F-H1918038-REL


Study Guide: Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association

This guide is designed to review the key facts, legal arguments, and conclusions presented in the Administrative Law Judge Decision for case number 19F-H1918038-REL, Michael Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association.

Short-Answer Quiz Questions

Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences, based on the information provided in the case document.

1. Who are the primary parties involved in this case, and what are their respective roles?

2. What was the central allegation in the petition filed by Michael Stoltenberg with the Arizona Department of Real Estate?

3. According to the Petitioner’s testimony, what was the financial basis for his claim of unfair assessment?

4. Describe the history of the water and irrigation system issue at the Petitioner’s property prior to 2013, as detailed in Dawn Simpson’s letter.

5. What action did the Petitioner take during the 2013 well construction project, and what were the consequences of this action?

6. According to Article V, Section 5.1(a) of the CC&Rs, what specific maintenance obligation does the homeowners’ association have regarding individual lots?

7. How did Diana Crites, the HOA’s property manager, justify the uniform assessment for all homeowners based on the CC&Rs?

8. What reason did Ms. Crites provide for why eight units, including the Petitioner’s, were originally landscaped with rock instead of grass?

9. What is the legal standard of proof required in this hearing, and on which party does the burden of proof rest?

10. What was the final order of the Administrative Law Judge, and what was the core legal reasoning for this decision?

——————————————————————————–

Answer Key

1. The primary parties are Michael Stoltenberg, the “Petitioner,” and the Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association, the “Respondent.” Mr. Stoltenberg is a homeowner and member of the HOA who filed a complaint against the association. The Respondent is the governing HOA for the Rancho Del Oro community in Yuma, Arizona.

2. The Petitioner alleged that the Respondent violated multiple sections of its Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). His central claim was that it was unfair for the HOA to charge him the same assessment fees as his neighbors because his property has rock landscaping, while his neighbors have grass yards that require more maintenance.

3. The financial basis for his claim was the HOA’s budget. The Petitioner testified that in 2016, the Respondent spent $54,000 on lawn maintenance and landscaping, which accounted for 39% of the total budget.

4. Prior to 2013, the Petitioner made several complaints that his home was not connected to the community water system. The HOA Board’s position was that the Petitioner knew his home was not connected to the system when he purchased it.

5. During the 2013 construction to install a well and connect all homes to an irrigation system, the Petitioner became “very heated” with the contractor. He declared that no one was to enter his yard for any purpose, which halted all construction in his backyard and all landscaping provided by the HOA for his front yard.

6. Section 5.1(a) of the CC&Rs states that the Association’s maintenance duties “shall also include maintenance of the landscaping on individual Lots outside of structures.” This obligates the HOA to maintain landscaping even on privately owned lots.

7. Diana Crites testified that CC&R Section 4.1 requires all owners to be assessed uniformly. She stated this uniformity applies regardless of the type of landscaping an owner has chosen or whether they permit the HOA onto their property to perform maintenance.

8. Ms. Crites testified that the eight units were built by a different developer after the original construction and were not equipped with an irrigation system or grass. She believed rock was used in the front yards of these lots due to the high cost of water, an issue later resolved by the installation of a community well.

9. The legal standard is “a preponderance of the evidence,” which means the evidence must be convincing enough to make the contention more probably true than not. The burden of proof to establish a CC&R violation rests on the Petitioner, Mr. Stoltenberg.

10. The Administrative Law Judge denied the Petitioner’s petition. The reasoning was that the Petitioner failed to bear his burden of proof because he could not point to any provision in the CC&Rs that allows or requires the HOA to assess him less than his neighbors based on his landscaping choice or his refusal to allow maintenance.

——————————————————————————–

Essay Questions

The following questions are designed for longer-form analysis. Formulate a detailed response for each, citing specific evidence and CC&R provisions from the case document.

1. Analyze the central conflict between the Petitioner’s concept of fairness and the Respondent’s interpretation of the CC&Rs. Use specific clauses from the CC&Rs (e.g., Articles IV and V) to support the analysis of each party’s position.

2. Discuss the significance of the “preponderance of the evidence” standard in this case. How did the evidence presented by both the Petitioner (e.g., budget figures) and the Respondent (e.g., witness testimony and CC&Rs) contribute to the judge’s final decision regarding this standard?

3. Trace the history of the water and irrigation issue at the Petitioner’s property, from his initial complaints to his refusal to allow construction access. How did these past events impact the central issue of the 2019 hearing?

4. Explain the legal principle that “restrictive covenants must be construed as a whole.” How did the Administrative Law Judge apply this principle by referencing both Section 4.1 (Assessments) and Section 5.1(a) (Maintenance) of the CC&Rs to reach her conclusion?

5. Evaluate the actions of the Petitioner, Mr. Stoltenberg. Based on the evidence presented, did his own actions—specifically, denying the HOA access to his property—undermine his legal argument for a reduced assessment? Explain your reasoning using facts from the hearing evidence.

——————————————————————————–

Glossary

Definition from Source Context

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

An official (Diane Mihalsky) who presides over hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings, an independent state agency, and makes decisions in matters referred by state departments like the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

Assessments

Charges levied by the homeowners’ association on its members. According to CC&R § 4.1, they are used for promoting the recreation, health, safety, and welfare of owners, including property maintenance, and are to be proportioned to each owner’s respective common interests.

Burden of Proof

The obligation of a party in a legal case to establish their claim. In this matter, the Petitioner bears the burden of proof to establish that the Respondent violated its CC&Rs.

Common Area

Defined in CC&R § 1.8 as “those portions of the Project to which title is held by the Association for the common use and enjoyment of the Owners and excepting the individual units.”

Common Expenses

Defined in CC&R § 1.9 as the “actual and estimated expenses of operating the association,” including any reasonable reserves and all sums designated as Common Expense by project documents.

Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)

The governing documents for a planned community that outline the rules, obligations, and rights of the homeowners and the homeowners’ association.

Easements

A right of use over the property of another. CC&R § 2.1 grants every owner a “non-exclusive easement and equitable right of use and enjoyment in, to, and throughout the Common Area.”

Homeowners’ Association (HOA)

The governing body for a planned community (Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association) whose members are the property owners within that community. It is responsible for managing common areas and enforcing the CC&Rs.

Petitioner

The party who files a petition initiating a legal action. In this case, Michael Stoltenberg, a homeowner in Rancho Del Oro.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The evidentiary standard required to win the case. The source defines it as “such proof as convinces the trier of fact that the contention is more probably true than not” and as evidence with “the most convincing force” that is “sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue rather than the other.”

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this case, the Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association.

Restrictive Covenant

A provision in a deed or community document that limits the use of the property. The source notes that in Arizona, an unambiguous restrictive covenant is enforced to give effect to the intent of the parties and must be construed as a whole.






Blog Post – 19F-H1918038-REL


He Sued His HOA Over an ‘Unfair’ Fee—The Reason He Lost Is a Warning for Every Homeowner

Introduction: The HOA Fee Frustration

For many homeowners, the monthly or annual bill from the Homeowners Association (HOA) can be a source of constant frustration. It’s easy to look at the line items—landscaping, pool maintenance, common area repairs—and wonder if you’re truly getting your money’s worth, especially when you feel you aren’t using a particular service.

This was exactly the position of Michael Stoltenberg, a homeowner in Arizona who believed he had an open-and-shut case to lower his HOA fees. His argument seemed logical, fair, and simple. But the ultimate ruling in his case, Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association, reveals some surprising and crucial truths about how HOA rules actually work and serves as a powerful lesson for every person living in a planned community.

Takeaway 1: You Pay for the Service, Even If You Actively Refuse It

Michael Stoltenberg’s argument was straightforward: his front yard was landscaped with rocks, while his neighbors had grass. He pointed out that in 2016, lawn maintenance accounted for a significant 39% of the HOA’s total budget. He argued it was fundamentally unfair for him to pay the same assessment as his neighbors when he wasn’t consuming this costly service.

His sense of unfairness was rooted in the history of the development. His home was one of eight built by a different developer than the rest of the community. Likely due to high water costs at the time, these eight lots were constructed without irrigation systems or grass. From the very beginning, his property was different. This context makes the crucial twist in the case all the more telling. In 2013, the HOA undertook a community-wide project to drill a new well and install an irrigation system, an effort designed to rectify the inconsistency and bring these outlier properties up to the community standard. When the construction reached Stoltenberg’s property, he refused the workers access.

Testimony from the HOA’s former bookkeeper laid this fact bare:

At this time, [Petitioner] declared that no one was to enter his yard for any purpose. This was also to include his front yard. This halted all construction that was currently in place in his back yard, and all landscaping being provided by the HOA for the front yard.

Legally, this transformed the situation. Stoltenberg’s complaint was no longer about a service he didn’t need, but about a service he actively rejected. This case establishes a critical principle: HOA assessments are tied to your property ownership and membership in the community, not your individual consumption of services. By refusing the service, Mr. Stoltenberg did not absolve himself of the cost associated with its availability to the community.

Takeaway 2: “Common Benefit” Isn’t the Same as “Your Personal Benefit”

The legal foundation for the HOA’s position rested in the language of its Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Specifically, Section 4.1 states that assessments are to be used for the “common benefit, and enjoyment of the Owners.”

In an HOA context, “common benefit” is a broad concept. It means that well-maintained landscaping throughout the entire neighborhood enhances curb appeal, creates a cohesive community aesthetic, and supports the property values of all residents. This includes Mr. Stoltenberg, whose home value is supported by the beautiful, uniform appearance of the neighborhood, regardless of whether his specific yard has grass. It’s the same reason a homeowner without children still pays for the upkeep of a community playground; the amenity benefits the community as a whole.

Further testimony reinforced this point. The HOA’s property manager stated that the association was still willing to remove the rock and install grass on his property, just as they had already done for two other homeowners in a similar situation. The benefit was available to him; he simply continued to refuse it.

Takeaway 3: The Rules Are a Package Deal, Not an A La Carte Menu

Ultimately, the Administrative Law Judge’s role was not to rule on a general sense of fairness but to enforce the community’s governing documents as written. When examined together, two key clauses in the CC&Rs created a contractual vise, leaving the judge with no other legal option. The two clauses created a perfect, inescapable loop.

Section 5.1(a): This clause states the HOA has an obligation that “shall also include maintenance of the landscaping on individual Lots outside of structures.” The HOA wasn’t just permitted to do the work; it was contractually required to.

Section 4.1: This clause, which also defines assessments as being for the “common benefit,” requires that they “shall constitute common expenses for which the apartment owners shall be severally liable in proportion to their respective common interests.”

The documents legally obligated the HOA to maintain all yards and to charge every owner the same proportional amount for doing so. The CC&Rs provided no mechanism for a homeowner to opt-out of a service and receive a corresponding discount. The judge’s final ruling was decisive, emphasizing the absolute nature of this contractual obligation:

Because Petitioner has not pointed to any CC&R that allows, much less requires, Respondent to assess Petitioner less because he has a rock yard and will not allow Respondent to maintain his yard, Petitioner has not borne his burden in this matter.

Conclusion: The Contract You Live In

The case of Michael Stoltenberg is a powerful reminder that an HOA’s CC&Rs are not just a set of neighborhood rules; they are restrictive covenants that run with the land. When you buy the property, you are irrevocably buying into the contract that governs it. These documents are designed to prioritize the uniform application of standards for the collective good, and they supersede an individual’s personal preferences or interpretation of what seems “fair.”

This case forces every potential buyer to ask a critical question: Are you simply purchasing a dwelling, or are you prepared to become a party to the binding legal contract that governs the entire community?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • Michael Stoltenberg (Petitioner)

Respondent Side

  • Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association (Respondent Entity)
    Entity, not human
  • Nicole D. Payne (HOA Attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen LLP
    Represented Respondent
  • Diana Crites (Property Manager/Witness)
    Property manager for Respondent; testified
  • Dawn Simpson (Former Bookkeeper/Witness)
    Former bookkeeper for Respondent; provided a letter/testimony regarding history
  • Lydia A. Peirce Linsmeier (HOA Attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen LLP
    Received transmission of the Order

Neutral Parties

  • Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
  • Judy Lowe (ADRE Commissioner)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Received transmission of the Order
  • Felicia Del Sol (Administrative Staff)
    Transmitted the decision

Michael Stoltenberg vs Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1918038-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-04-03
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner Michael Stoltenberg Counsel
Respondent Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association Counsel Nicole D. Payne

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs §§ 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, and 14.2

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge denied the petition, concluding that the HOA acted in accordance with its governing documents (CC&Rs § 4.1) by imposing uniform assessments. The CC&Rs did not provide an exception for reduced assessments based on an owner's choice of landscaping (rock yard) or refusal of HOA maintenance services.

Why this result: Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof that the Respondent violated its CC&Rs, as CC&R § 4.1 requires uniform assessment and no provision requires or allows Respondent to assess Petitioner less due to his rock yard and refusal of maintenance.

Key Issues & Findings

HOA Assessment Uniformity Requirement

Petitioner, who had rock landscaping and refused HOA maintenance, alleged the HOA violated CC&Rs by assessing him uniform dues, arguing he should pay less since HOA expenditures on lawn maintenance were substantial and primarily benefited neighbors with grass yards.

Orders: Petitioner's petition is denied.

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • CC&Rs § 4.1
  • CC&Rs § 5.1(a)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553
  • Vazanno v. Superior Court, 74 Ariz. 369

Analytics Highlights

Topics: HOA Assessment, Uniform Dues, CC&R Enforcement, Landscaping Maintenance
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • MORRIS K. UDALL, ARIZONA LAW OF EVIDENCE § 5 (1960)
  • BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY at page 1220 (8th ed. 1999)
  • Powell v. Washburn, 211 Ariz. 553, 556 ¶ 9, 125 P.3d 373, 376 (2006)
  • Vazanno v. Superior Court, 74 Ariz. 369, 372, 249 P.2d 837 (1952)
  • Lookout Mountain Paradise Hills Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Viewpoint Assocs., 867 P.2d 70, 75 (Colo. App. 1993)

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1918038-REL Decision – 698869.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:28:18 (141.7 KB)





Briefing Doc – 19F-H1918038-REL


Briefing Document: Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association

Executive Summary

This document synthesizes the findings from the Administrative Law Judge Decision in case number 19F-H1918038-REL, concerning a dispute between homeowner Michael Stoltenberg and the Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association (HOA). The core conflict centered on Mr. Stoltenberg’s claim that he should pay lower HOA assessments because his property has rock landscaping, while his neighbors have grass yards requiring more costly maintenance by the HOA.

The Administrative Law Judge ultimately denied the petition. The decision rested on an unambiguous interpretation of the HOA’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). The Judge found that the CC&Rs explicitly obligate the HOA to maintain landscaping on all individual lots and, crucially, require assessments to be uniform for all members to cover these “common expenses.” The petitioner’s argument for a reduced assessment was unsupported by any provision in the governing documents. Furthermore, evidence showed that Mr. Stoltenberg had actively refused the HOA access to his property to install a community irrigation system and to perform the very landscaping maintenance that is a central component of the assessments.

Case Overview

Case Number: 19F-H1918038-REL

Parties Involved:

Petitioner: Michael Stoltenberg, a homeowner at 11777 E. Calle Gaudi, Rancho Del Oro.

Respondent: Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association (HOA).

Hearing Date: March 19, 2019

Presiding Judge: Diane Mihalsky, Administrative Law Judge

Core Allegation: On December 29, 2018, the Petitioner filed a petition alleging the HOA violated multiple sections of its CC&Rs (§§ 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, and 14.2) by levying the same assessment fees on his property as on neighboring properties with grass lawns.

Petitioner’s Position and Evidence (Michael Stoltenberg)

The Petitioner’s case was built on the argument of fairness, contending that his assessment should be lower because his property does not utilize the HOA’s most expensive landscaping services.

Primary Argument: It is inequitable for the HOA to charge him the same amount as neighbors with grass yards, given that his front yard is rock and does not receive the same level of maintenance.

Financial Evidence: The Petitioner testified that in 2016, the HOA spent $54,000 on lawn maintenance and landscaping, which constituted 39% of its total budget.

Refusal of Services: The Petitioner acknowledged that he refused to allow the HOA access to his property for two key purposes:

1. To install irrigation pipes connecting his lot to a new community well.

2. To perform any landscape maintenance on his front yard.

Justification for Refusal: The Petitioner accused the HOA of previously killing his trees during maintenance activities and stated that he now undertakes all maintenance of his own yard.

Respondent’s Position and Evidence (Rancho Del Oro HOA)

The HOA’s defense was grounded in its adherence to the plain language of its governing documents, arguing that its actions were not only permissible but mandated by the CC&Rs.

Primary Argument: The HOA is legally bound by its CC&Rs to levy uniform assessments on all members and is simultaneously obligated to maintain the landscaping on every individual lot.

Key Testimony (Diana Crites, Property Manager):

◦ CC&R § 5.1(a) explicitly requires the HOA to maintain the yards of its members.

◦ CC&R § 4.1 requires all owners to be assessed uniformly, without regard to the type of landscaping they have chosen or whether they permit the HOA to perform its maintenance duties.

◦ The Petitioner’s property is one of eight constructed by a different developer, who did not originally install grass or an irrigation system.

◦ The HOA has since drilled a community well to address water costs and has offered to remove rock and install grass for these properties, an offer the Petitioner could accept.

Supporting Evidence (Letter from Dawn Simpson, former bookkeeper):

◦ A 2013 HOA project was initiated to install a community well for landscaping and to connect all homes, including the Petitioner’s.

◦ The letter details an incident where the Petitioner “became very heated with [the] contractor” and “declared that no one was to enter his yard for any purpose.”

◦ This action directly halted all construction to connect his property to the irrigation system and ceased all landscaping services provided by the HOA.

Analysis of Governing Documents (CC&Rs)

The judge’s decision centered on the clear, unambiguous language of specific articles within the CC&Rs. The petitioner failed to identify any language that would permit or require a non-uniform assessment.

CC&R Section

Key Language

Implication & Ruling

Article IV, Section 4.1

Assessments “shall be used for the… common benefit… of the Owners” and “shall constitute common expenses for which the apartment owners shall be severally liable in proportion to their respective common interests.”

This establishes the principle of uniform, shared liability for common expenses, regardless of an individual owner’s specific use of a particular service.

Article V, Section 5.1(a)

“The Association shall maintain… landscaping… It shall also include maintenance of the landscaping on individual Lots outside of structures.”

This article imposes a direct obligation on the HOA to maintain all members’ landscaping, not merely an optional service.

Legal Conclusions and Final Order

Burden of Proof: The decision established that the Petitioner, Mr. Stoltenberg, held the burden to prove by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the HOA had violated its CC&Rs.

Interpretation of Covenants: In Arizona, unambiguous restrictive covenants are enforced to give effect to the intent of the parties. The judge found the CC&Rs to be unambiguous, requiring a holistic interpretation. The documents clearly mandate that the HOA must maintain all yards and must assess all members equally to fund that maintenance.

Final Ruling: The Petitioner did not meet his burden of proof. He failed to point to any provision within the CC&Rs that “allows, much less requires, Respondent to assess Petitioner less because he has a rock yard and will not allow Respondent to maintain his yard.”

Order: The petition was denied. The HOA’s practice of charging uniform assessments was upheld as compliant with its governing documents.






Study Guide – 19F-H1918038-REL


Study Guide: Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association

This guide is designed to review the key facts, legal arguments, and conclusions presented in the Administrative Law Judge Decision for case number 19F-H1918038-REL, Michael Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association.

Short-Answer Quiz Questions

Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences, based on the information provided in the case document.

1. Who are the primary parties involved in this case, and what are their respective roles?

2. What was the central allegation in the petition filed by Michael Stoltenberg with the Arizona Department of Real Estate?

3. According to the Petitioner’s testimony, what was the financial basis for his claim of unfair assessment?

4. Describe the history of the water and irrigation system issue at the Petitioner’s property prior to 2013, as detailed in Dawn Simpson’s letter.

5. What action did the Petitioner take during the 2013 well construction project, and what were the consequences of this action?

6. According to Article V, Section 5.1(a) of the CC&Rs, what specific maintenance obligation does the homeowners’ association have regarding individual lots?

7. How did Diana Crites, the HOA’s property manager, justify the uniform assessment for all homeowners based on the CC&Rs?

8. What reason did Ms. Crites provide for why eight units, including the Petitioner’s, were originally landscaped with rock instead of grass?

9. What is the legal standard of proof required in this hearing, and on which party does the burden of proof rest?

10. What was the final order of the Administrative Law Judge, and what was the core legal reasoning for this decision?

——————————————————————————–

Answer Key

1. The primary parties are Michael Stoltenberg, the “Petitioner,” and the Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association, the “Respondent.” Mr. Stoltenberg is a homeowner and member of the HOA who filed a complaint against the association. The Respondent is the governing HOA for the Rancho Del Oro community in Yuma, Arizona.

2. The Petitioner alleged that the Respondent violated multiple sections of its Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). His central claim was that it was unfair for the HOA to charge him the same assessment fees as his neighbors because his property has rock landscaping, while his neighbors have grass yards that require more maintenance.

3. The financial basis for his claim was the HOA’s budget. The Petitioner testified that in 2016, the Respondent spent $54,000 on lawn maintenance and landscaping, which accounted for 39% of the total budget.

4. Prior to 2013, the Petitioner made several complaints that his home was not connected to the community water system. The HOA Board’s position was that the Petitioner knew his home was not connected to the system when he purchased it.

5. During the 2013 construction to install a well and connect all homes to an irrigation system, the Petitioner became “very heated” with the contractor. He declared that no one was to enter his yard for any purpose, which halted all construction in his backyard and all landscaping provided by the HOA for his front yard.

6. Section 5.1(a) of the CC&Rs states that the Association’s maintenance duties “shall also include maintenance of the landscaping on individual Lots outside of structures.” This obligates the HOA to maintain landscaping even on privately owned lots.

7. Diana Crites testified that CC&R Section 4.1 requires all owners to be assessed uniformly. She stated this uniformity applies regardless of the type of landscaping an owner has chosen or whether they permit the HOA onto their property to perform maintenance.

8. Ms. Crites testified that the eight units were built by a different developer after the original construction and were not equipped with an irrigation system or grass. She believed rock was used in the front yards of these lots due to the high cost of water, an issue later resolved by the installation of a community well.

9. The legal standard is “a preponderance of the evidence,” which means the evidence must be convincing enough to make the contention more probably true than not. The burden of proof to establish a CC&R violation rests on the Petitioner, Mr. Stoltenberg.

10. The Administrative Law Judge denied the Petitioner’s petition. The reasoning was that the Petitioner failed to bear his burden of proof because he could not point to any provision in the CC&Rs that allows or requires the HOA to assess him less than his neighbors based on his landscaping choice or his refusal to allow maintenance.

——————————————————————————–

Essay Questions

The following questions are designed for longer-form analysis. Formulate a detailed response for each, citing specific evidence and CC&R provisions from the case document.

1. Analyze the central conflict between the Petitioner’s concept of fairness and the Respondent’s interpretation of the CC&Rs. Use specific clauses from the CC&Rs (e.g., Articles IV and V) to support the analysis of each party’s position.

2. Discuss the significance of the “preponderance of the evidence” standard in this case. How did the evidence presented by both the Petitioner (e.g., budget figures) and the Respondent (e.g., witness testimony and CC&Rs) contribute to the judge’s final decision regarding this standard?

3. Trace the history of the water and irrigation issue at the Petitioner’s property, from his initial complaints to his refusal to allow construction access. How did these past events impact the central issue of the 2019 hearing?

4. Explain the legal principle that “restrictive covenants must be construed as a whole.” How did the Administrative Law Judge apply this principle by referencing both Section 4.1 (Assessments) and Section 5.1(a) (Maintenance) of the CC&Rs to reach her conclusion?

5. Evaluate the actions of the Petitioner, Mr. Stoltenberg. Based on the evidence presented, did his own actions—specifically, denying the HOA access to his property—undermine his legal argument for a reduced assessment? Explain your reasoning using facts from the hearing evidence.

——————————————————————————–

Glossary

Definition from Source Context

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

An official (Diane Mihalsky) who presides over hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings, an independent state agency, and makes decisions in matters referred by state departments like the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

Assessments

Charges levied by the homeowners’ association on its members. According to CC&R § 4.1, they are used for promoting the recreation, health, safety, and welfare of owners, including property maintenance, and are to be proportioned to each owner’s respective common interests.

Burden of Proof

The obligation of a party in a legal case to establish their claim. In this matter, the Petitioner bears the burden of proof to establish that the Respondent violated its CC&Rs.

Common Area

Defined in CC&R § 1.8 as “those portions of the Project to which title is held by the Association for the common use and enjoyment of the Owners and excepting the individual units.”

Common Expenses

Defined in CC&R § 1.9 as the “actual and estimated expenses of operating the association,” including any reasonable reserves and all sums designated as Common Expense by project documents.

Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)

The governing documents for a planned community that outline the rules, obligations, and rights of the homeowners and the homeowners’ association.

Easements

A right of use over the property of another. CC&R § 2.1 grants every owner a “non-exclusive easement and equitable right of use and enjoyment in, to, and throughout the Common Area.”

Homeowners’ Association (HOA)

The governing body for a planned community (Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association) whose members are the property owners within that community. It is responsible for managing common areas and enforcing the CC&Rs.

Petitioner

The party who files a petition initiating a legal action. In this case, Michael Stoltenberg, a homeowner in Rancho Del Oro.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The evidentiary standard required to win the case. The source defines it as “such proof as convinces the trier of fact that the contention is more probably true than not” and as evidence with “the most convincing force” that is “sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue rather than the other.”

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this case, the Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association.

Restrictive Covenant

A provision in a deed or community document that limits the use of the property. The source notes that in Arizona, an unambiguous restrictive covenant is enforced to give effect to the intent of the parties and must be construed as a whole.






Blog Post – 19F-H1918038-REL


He Sued His HOA Over an ‘Unfair’ Fee—The Reason He Lost Is a Warning for Every Homeowner

Introduction: The HOA Fee Frustration

For many homeowners, the monthly or annual bill from the Homeowners Association (HOA) can be a source of constant frustration. It’s easy to look at the line items—landscaping, pool maintenance, common area repairs—and wonder if you’re truly getting your money’s worth, especially when you feel you aren’t using a particular service.

This was exactly the position of Michael Stoltenberg, a homeowner in Arizona who believed he had an open-and-shut case to lower his HOA fees. His argument seemed logical, fair, and simple. But the ultimate ruling in his case, Stoltenberg v. Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association, reveals some surprising and crucial truths about how HOA rules actually work and serves as a powerful lesson for every person living in a planned community.

Takeaway 1: You Pay for the Service, Even If You Actively Refuse It

Michael Stoltenberg’s argument was straightforward: his front yard was landscaped with rocks, while his neighbors had grass. He pointed out that in 2016, lawn maintenance accounted for a significant 39% of the HOA’s total budget. He argued it was fundamentally unfair for him to pay the same assessment as his neighbors when he wasn’t consuming this costly service.

His sense of unfairness was rooted in the history of the development. His home was one of eight built by a different developer than the rest of the community. Likely due to high water costs at the time, these eight lots were constructed without irrigation systems or grass. From the very beginning, his property was different. This context makes the crucial twist in the case all the more telling. In 2013, the HOA undertook a community-wide project to drill a new well and install an irrigation system, an effort designed to rectify the inconsistency and bring these outlier properties up to the community standard. When the construction reached Stoltenberg’s property, he refused the workers access.

Testimony from the HOA’s former bookkeeper laid this fact bare:

At this time, [Petitioner] declared that no one was to enter his yard for any purpose. This was also to include his front yard. This halted all construction that was currently in place in his back yard, and all landscaping being provided by the HOA for the front yard.

Legally, this transformed the situation. Stoltenberg’s complaint was no longer about a service he didn’t need, but about a service he actively rejected. This case establishes a critical principle: HOA assessments are tied to your property ownership and membership in the community, not your individual consumption of services. By refusing the service, Mr. Stoltenberg did not absolve himself of the cost associated with its availability to the community.

Takeaway 2: “Common Benefit” Isn’t the Same as “Your Personal Benefit”

The legal foundation for the HOA’s position rested in the language of its Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Specifically, Section 4.1 states that assessments are to be used for the “common benefit, and enjoyment of the Owners.”

In an HOA context, “common benefit” is a broad concept. It means that well-maintained landscaping throughout the entire neighborhood enhances curb appeal, creates a cohesive community aesthetic, and supports the property values of all residents. This includes Mr. Stoltenberg, whose home value is supported by the beautiful, uniform appearance of the neighborhood, regardless of whether his specific yard has grass. It’s the same reason a homeowner without children still pays for the upkeep of a community playground; the amenity benefits the community as a whole.

Further testimony reinforced this point. The HOA’s property manager stated that the association was still willing to remove the rock and install grass on his property, just as they had already done for two other homeowners in a similar situation. The benefit was available to him; he simply continued to refuse it.

Takeaway 3: The Rules Are a Package Deal, Not an A La Carte Menu

Ultimately, the Administrative Law Judge’s role was not to rule on a general sense of fairness but to enforce the community’s governing documents as written. When examined together, two key clauses in the CC&Rs created a contractual vise, leaving the judge with no other legal option. The two clauses created a perfect, inescapable loop.

Section 5.1(a): This clause states the HOA has an obligation that “shall also include maintenance of the landscaping on individual Lots outside of structures.” The HOA wasn’t just permitted to do the work; it was contractually required to.

Section 4.1: This clause, which also defines assessments as being for the “common benefit,” requires that they “shall constitute common expenses for which the apartment owners shall be severally liable in proportion to their respective common interests.”

The documents legally obligated the HOA to maintain all yards and to charge every owner the same proportional amount for doing so. The CC&Rs provided no mechanism for a homeowner to opt-out of a service and receive a corresponding discount. The judge’s final ruling was decisive, emphasizing the absolute nature of this contractual obligation:

Because Petitioner has not pointed to any CC&R that allows, much less requires, Respondent to assess Petitioner less because he has a rock yard and will not allow Respondent to maintain his yard, Petitioner has not borne his burden in this matter.

Conclusion: The Contract You Live In

The case of Michael Stoltenberg is a powerful reminder that an HOA’s CC&Rs are not just a set of neighborhood rules; they are restrictive covenants that run with the land. When you buy the property, you are irrevocably buying into the contract that governs it. These documents are designed to prioritize the uniform application of standards for the collective good, and they supersede an individual’s personal preferences or interpretation of what seems “fair.”

This case forces every potential buyer to ask a critical question: Are you simply purchasing a dwelling, or are you prepared to become a party to the binding legal contract that governs the entire community?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • Michael Stoltenberg (Petitioner)

Respondent Side

  • Rancho Del Oro Homeowners Association (Respondent Entity)
    Entity, not human
  • Nicole D. Payne (HOA Attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen LLP
    Represented Respondent
  • Diana Crites (Property Manager/Witness)
    Property manager for Respondent; testified
  • Dawn Simpson (Former Bookkeeper/Witness)
    Former bookkeeper for Respondent; provided a letter/testimony regarding history
  • Lydia A. Peirce Linsmeier (HOA Attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen LLP
    Received transmission of the Order

Neutral Parties

  • Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
  • Judy Lowe (ADRE Commissioner)
    Arizona Department of Real Estate
    Received transmission of the Order
  • Felicia Del Sol (Administrative Staff)
    Transmitted the decision

Travis Prall v. Villas at Tierra Buena Homeowners

Note: A Rehearing was requested for this case. The dashboard statistics reflect the final outcome of the rehearing process.

Case Summary

Case ID 18F-H1818053-REL-RHG
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-01-31
Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer
Outcome loss
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner Travis Prall Counsel
Respondent Villas at Tierra Buena Homeowners Association Counsel Lydia Pierce Linsmeier

Alleged Violations

Section 7.1.4 of the CC&Rs

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the Petition following a rehearing, concluding that the Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof to show the HOA violated Section 7.1.4 of the CC&Rs because there was no credible evidence that the disputed landscaping (tree) had been originally installed by the developer.

Why this result: Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the landscaping was originally installed by the Declarant, which was a prerequisite for HOA maintenance responsibility under the relevant CC&R section.

Key Issues & Findings

Neglecting yard maintenance in visible public yards

Petitioner alleged the HOA violated CC&R Section 7.1.4 by failing to maintain a tree in his back yard, arguing the back yard qualified as a 'Public Yard' and the tree was originally installed by the Declarant.

Orders: The Petition was dismissed.

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 41-2198.01
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.08(H)
  • A.R.S. § 12-904(A)

Analytics Highlights

Topics: HOA maintenance, CC&R interpretation, burden of proof, landscaping
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 41-2198.01
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
  • A.R.S. § 32-2199.02(B)
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.09
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.08(H)
  • A.R.S. § 12-904(A)

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

18F-H1818053-REL-RHG Decision – 686236.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:25:18 (116.2 KB)

18F-H1818053-REL-RHG Decision – ../18F-H1818053-REL/661820.pdf

Uploaded 2026-01-23T17:25:23 (107.3 KB)





Briefing Doc – 18F-H1818053-REL-RHG


Briefing: Prall v. Villas at Tierra Buena HOA

Executive Summary

This briefing synthesizes the findings from two administrative law hearings concerning a dispute between homeowner Travis Prall (Petitioner) and the Villas at Tierra Buena Homeowners Association (Respondent). The core of the conflict was the Petitioner’s allegation that the HOA violated its governing documents by failing to maintain landscaping—specifically a large tree—in his backyard, which he contended was a “Public Yard” under the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

The dispute culminated in two separate rulings by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), one in September 2018 and another following a rehearing in January 2019. In both instances, the petition was dismissed.

The central issue did not turn on the ambiguous definition of “Public Yard” vs. “Private Yard” in the CC&Rs, a point of significant debate between the parties. Instead, the case was decided on a critical qualifying phrase in the governing documents: the HOA’s maintenance obligation under Section 7.1.4 is limited to landscaping “as originally installed by Declarant” (the original developer).

The Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof to establish that the tree in question was installed by the developer. In the initial hearing, this conclusion was based on inference. In the rehearing, the HOA presented credible witness testimony from a board member involved in the community’s initial sales, who stated that all homes were sold with no landscaping or irrigation in the backyards, which were “just dirt.” The ALJ found this to be the only credible evidence on the matter, leading to the final dismissal of the case.

Case Overview

Case Name

Travis Prall (Petitioner) vs. Villas at Tierra Buena HOA (Respondent)

Case Number

18F-H1818053-REL

Office of Administrative Hearings, Phoenix, Arizona

Presiding Judge

Administrative Law Judge Tammy L. Eigenheer

Core Allegation

The Petitioner alleged the HOA violated Section 7.1.4 of the CC&Rs by “neglecting yard maintenance in visible public yards.”

Factual Background and Timeline

The dispute is centered within the Villas at Tierra Buena, a gated community comprising 43 homes on the outer perimeter with tall block fences and 19 interior homes with four-foot-tall walls (two feet of block with a two-foot aluminum fence on top). The Petitioner owns one of these interior homes.

2010: Travis Prall purchases his home. He believes, based on his reading of the CC&Rs, that the HOA is responsible for maintaining both his front and back yards. A large tree is present in the backyard at the time of purchase.

2010–2013: Prall testifies that the HOA provided landscaping maintenance to his front and back yards during this period. The HOA denies ever providing maintenance to any backyards in the community.

July 26, 2014: A storm knocks over the tree in Prall’s backyard. Prall pays for its removal but asserts at the time that it was the HOA’s responsibility.

Post-2014: The tree regrows from the remaining stump.

2018: The HOA observes that the “pony wall” near the regrown tree is buckling. A repair company, Sun King Fencing & Gates, confirms “the reason the pony wall buckled was the tree roots in the area” and recommends the tree’s removal.

May 3, 2018: The HOA issues a “Courtesy Letter” to Prall, stating, “Please trim or remove the tree in the back yard causing damage to the pony wall.”

June 4, 2018: Prall files an HOA Dispute Process Petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

September 4, 2018: The initial administrative hearing is held.

September 24, 2018: The ALJ issues a decision dismissing the petition.

Post-September 2018: Prall’s request for a rehearing is granted.

January 11, 2019: The rehearing is conducted.

January 31, 2019: The ALJ issues a final decision, again dismissing the petition.

Central Point of Contention: Interpretation of CC&Rs

The primary disagreement focused on whether the Petitioner’s enclosed but visible backyard constituted a “Public Yard” or a “Private Yard” under the CC&Rs. The HOA’s maintenance obligation under Section 7.1.4 applies only to Public Yards.

Relevant CC&R Sections

Section

Language

Respondent must “Replace and maintain all landscaping and other Improvements as originally installed by Declarant on the Public Yards of Lots…” (Emphasis added)

“‘Private Yard’ means that portion of a Yard which is enclosed or shielded from view by walls, fences, hedges or the like so that it is not generally Visible from Neighboring Property. ‘Public Yard’ means that portion of a Yard which is generally visible from Neighboring Property, whether or not it is located in front of, beside, or behind the Residential Dwelling.”

“‘Visible from Neighboring Property’ means, with respect to any given object, that such object is or would be visible to a person six feet tall standing on any part of such neighboring property…”

Competing Interpretations

Petitioner’s Interpretation: A yard is “Private” only if it is both enclosed/shielded AND not generally visible. Because his backyard is enclosed but visible through the four-foot wall/fence, he argued it qualifies as a “Public Yard” that the HOA must maintain.

Respondent’s Interpretation: A yard is “Private” if it is either enclosed or shielded from view. Because the Petitioner’s backyard is enclosed, it is a Private Yard, and the HOA has no maintenance responsibility.

While the ALJ acknowledged that “the language of the CC&Rs may lend itself to a reading that Respondent is responsible for the maintenance of the enclosed back yards,” she explicitly stated that the tribunal was “not required to reach that issue in this matter.” The case was decided on other grounds.

Analysis of Arguments and Evidence

The Petitioner bore the burden of proof to establish a violation by a preponderance of the evidence.

Petitioner’s Position (Travis Prall)

• Argued that the HOA performed backyard maintenance from 2010 to 2013, establishing a precedent.

• Posited that the large size of the tree when he bought the home in 2010 indicated it must have been planted by the original developer.

• Suggested that the presence of just two types of irrigation systems across the community, accessible from the front, implied a uniform developer installation for both front and back yards.

• Noted that his backyard sprinkler system wrapped around the tree, suggesting they were installed together by the developer.

Respondent’s Position (Villas at Tierra Buena HOA)

• Denied ever providing landscaping maintenance to any backyards, stating it only controls front yard irrigation and sprinkler systems.

• Raised liability concerns about maintenance workers entering residents’ enclosed backyards where pets could escape.

• Presented critical testimony from Board President Maureen Karpinski during the rehearing. Ms. Karpinski, a real estate agent who was involved with the community’s development and sales from 2002, stated that to her knowledge, none of the homes were sold with any landscaping or irrigation in the backyards, which were “just dirt.”

Administrative Law Judge’s Decisions and Rationale

The ALJ’s rulings in both hearings hinged on the specific requirement in Section 7.1.4 that the landscaping must have been “originally installed by Declarant.”

Initial Hearing Decision (September 24, 2018)

Ruling: The Petition was dismissed.

Rationale: The Petitioner failed to present evidence that the tree was installed by the developer. The ALJ noted that the tree had regrown to a significant height in approximately five years after being cut down in 2014. From this, she concluded that “it cannot be concluded that the tree in the photograph from 2010 was planted as part of the original landscape plan around 2000.”

Rehearing Decision (January 31, 2019)

Ruling: The Petition was dismissed.

Rationale: The ALJ found the Petitioner’s arguments to be “suppositions and inferences.” In contrast, she deemed the testimony of Maureen Karpinski to be “the only credible evidence offered regarding the landscaping of the homes.” Ms. Karpinski’s statement that backyards were sold as “just dirt” directly refuted the claim that any landscaping was “originally installed by Declarant.”

• The final conclusion stated: “As there was no evidence there was any landscaping or improvements originally installed by Declarant, there is no reason to conclude Respondent would be required to replace and maintain Petitioner’s back yard under the terms of Section 7.1.4 of the CC&Rs.”

Final Disposition

The Administrative Law Judge ordered that the Petition be dismissed. The order resulting from the rehearing was final and binding on the parties. Any further appeal would require seeking judicial review in the superior court within 35 days of the order.






Study Guide – 18F-H1818053-REL-RHG


Study Guide: Prall v. Villas at Tierra Buena HOA

This study guide provides a comprehensive review of the administrative case between Travis Prall and the Villas at Tierra Buena Homeowners Association, based on the legal decisions from September 2018 and January 2019. It includes a short-answer quiz, an answer key, suggested essay questions, and a glossary of key terms to facilitate a thorough understanding of the dispute, arguments, and legal reasoning involved.

Short-Answer Quiz

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences, based on the provided source context.

1. What specific violation of the community’s CC&Rs did the Petitioner, Travis Prall, allege in his petition?

2. What was the key physical difference between the backyards of the “interior homes” and the “exterior homes” in the Villas at Tierra Buena community?

3. What was the central point of disagreement between the Petitioner and the Respondent regarding the definition of a “Private Yard” versus a “Public Yard”?

4. According to Section 7.1.4 of the CC&Rs, what specific condition must be met for the HOA to be responsible for maintaining landscaping in a Public Yard?

5. What was the “Courtesy Letter” issued by the Respondent on May 3, 2018, and what did it request of the Petitioner?

6. What was the Petitioner’s primary argument for why the tree in his backyard must have been installed by the original developer?

7. What is the legal standard of proof the Petitioner was required to meet, and what does it mean?

8. In the first hearing, why did the Administrative Law Judge conclude that the tree was not part of the original landscape plan?

9. During the rehearing, what “credible evidence” was presented by the Respondent that refuted the Petitioner’s claims about original backyard landscaping?

10. Why did the Administrative Law Judge state that it was not necessary to rule on the interpretation of “Public Yard” vs. “Private Yard” in either decision?

——————————————————————————–

Answer Key

1. Petitioner Travis Prall alleged that the Villas at Tierra Buena HOA violated Section 7.1.4 of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements (CC&Rs). The specific allegation was that the HOA neglected its duty for yard maintenance in visible public yards.

2. The exterior homes have six to seven-foot-tall block wall fences enclosing the backyards. The interior homes, like the Petitioner’s, have a shorter back wall, consisting of a two-foot-tall block wall topped with a two-foot-tall aluminum fence, making the backyards more visible.

3. The Petitioner argued that a yard must be both enclosed and not generally visible to be private, meaning his visible, enclosed yard was public. The Respondent argued that a yard was private if it was enclosed or shielded from view, meaning the Petitioner’s enclosed yard was private regardless of visibility.

4. According to Section 7.1.4, the HOA is required to “replace and maintain all landscaping and other Improvements as originally installed by Declarant on the Public Yards of Lots.” This means the landscaping in question must have been part of the original developer’s installation.

5. The “Courtesy Letter” was a notice from the HOA to the Petitioner concerning the tree in his backyard. It requested that he “Please trim or remove the tree in the back yard causing damage to the pony wall,” which had buckled due to the tree’s roots.

6. The Petitioner posited that the tree must have been installed by the developer due to its large size when he bought the home in 2010. He also noted that the backyard sprinkler system wrapped around the tree, suggesting they were installed together during original construction.

7. The Petitioner was required to meet the “preponderance of the evidence” standard. This standard is defined as proof that convinces the trier of fact that a contention is more probably true than not; it is the greater weight of evidence.

8. The judge noted that after the original tree was removed in 2014, the present tree grew to a similar height in approximately five years from the remaining stump. Therefore, the judge concluded that the tree’s size in 2010 did not prove it was planted as part of the original landscape plan around the year 2000.

9. The Respondent presented the testimony of Maureen Karpinski, the Board President and a real estate agent who sold homes in the community during its development. She stated that to the best of her knowledge, none of the homes were sold with any landscaping or irrigation in the backyards and that they were “just dirt.”

10. The judge did not need to rule on the yard definition because the Petitioner first had to prove the tree was “originally installed by the Declarant” per Section 7.1.4. Since the Petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence for this foundational claim in both hearings, the question of whether the yard was public or private became irrelevant to the outcome.

——————————————————————————–

Suggested Essay Questions

These questions are designed to test a deeper, more analytical understanding of the case. Answers are not provided.

1. Explain the concept of “burden of proof” and analyze how the Petitioner’s failure to meet the “preponderance of the evidence” standard was the determining factor in the dismissal of his petition in both the initial hearing and the rehearing.

2. Provide a detailed analysis of the competing interpretations of “Private Yard” and “Public Yard” as defined in Section 1.38 of the CC&Rs. Discuss the arguments made by both the Petitioner and the Respondent and explain why, despite this being a central point of contention, the final ruling did not hinge on this issue.

3. Compare the evidence presented by Travis Prall with the evidence presented by the Villas at Tierra Buena HOA. How did the nature and credibility of the evidence, particularly witness testimony versus suppositions, influence the Administrative Law Judge’s final decision?

4. Trace the procedural history of this case, starting from the initial event that triggered the HOA’s notice through the final decision after the rehearing. What were the key decision points and legal options available to the parties at each stage?

5. Discuss the significance of Maureen Karpinski’s testimony in the rehearing. How did her personal and professional experience with the community’s development directly address the central weakness of the Petitioner’s case from the first hearing?

——————————————————————————–

Glossary of Key Terms

Definition

Administrative Law Judge

The judicial officer who presides over hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings and issues legal decisions, in this case, Tammy L. Eigenheer.

An abbreviation for the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions,Restrictions and Easements, the legal documents that govern a planned community or HOA.

Common Area

Land within the community for the common use and enjoyment of the owners; the HOA is responsible for maintaining landscaping in these areas.

Courtesy Letter

A formal notice issued by the HOA to a resident. In this case, it was a letter dated May 3, 2018, requesting that the Petitioner trim or remove a tree causing damage to a wall.

Declarant

The original developer who installed the initial landscaping and improvements in the community.

An abbreviation for Homeowners Association. In this case, the Villas at Tierra Buena HOA, which was the Respondent.

Petitioner

The party who files a petition initiating a legal action. In this case, homeowner Travis Prall.

Preponderance of the evidence

The standard of proof in this case. It is defined as “such proof as convinces the trier of fact that the contention is more probably true than not” and represents the “greater weight of the evidence.”

Private Yard

As defined in Section 1.38 of the CC&Rs, it is the portion of a Yard “which is enclosed or shielded from view by walls, fences, hedges or the like so that it is not generally Visible from Neighboring Property.” The interpretation of this definition was a key dispute in the case.

Public Yard

As defined in Section 1.38 of the CC&Rs, it is the portion of a Yard “which is generally visible from Neighboring Property, whether or not it is located in front of, beside, or behind the Residential Dwelling.”

Respondent

The party against whom a petition is filed. In this case, the Villas at Tierra Buena HOA.

Visible from Neighboring Property

A term defined in Section 1.37 of the CC&Rs. An object is considered visible if it can be seen by a six-foot-tall person standing on a neighboring property, with a specific exception for objects visible only through a wrought iron fence.

As defined in Section 1.38 of the CC&Rs, it is “the portion of the Lot devoted to Improvements other than the Residential Dwelling.”






Blog Post – 18F-H1818053-REL-RHG


He Fought His HOA Over a Single Tree—And Lost Because of a Clause Everyone Missed

For many homeowners, the relationship with their Homeowners Association is a delicate balance of rules, fees, and occasional frustrations. It’s a familiar story: a dispute arises over a seemingly minor issue, and suddenly you’re deep in the weeds of your community’s governing documents, convinced you’re in the right.

This was exactly the position of homeowner Travis Prall. He believed the rules for his community, the Villas at Tierra Buena HOA, clearly stated they were responsible for maintaining a troublesome tree in his backyard. Confident in his interpretation of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), he took his case to an administrative law judge.

But the outcome of his legal battle hinged not on the clause he was arguing, but on details everyone had overlooked. The way he lost—first in an initial hearing, and then decisively in a rehearing he himself requested—reveals crucial lessons for any homeowner hidden within the dense language of community documents.

The Definition You Debate Isn’t Always the One That Matters

The core of Mr. Prall’s argument was a battle of definitions. According to the CC&Rs, the HOA was responsible for maintaining “Public Yards.” The rules defined a “Public Yard” as any part of a yard “which is generally visible from Neighboring Property.” Even though his backyard was enclosed by a four-foot wall, it was visible to his neighbors, so he argued it qualified.

The HOA countered with its own interpretation. They pointed to the definition of a “Private Yard,” which included any yard that is “enclosed.” Since his yard was enclosed, they claimed, it was his responsibility, regardless of visibility.

The two sides were locked in a debate over these competing definitions. But in the first hearing, the judge delivered a surprising twist: the entire debate was irrelevant. The judge acknowledged that Prall’s reading of the rules might even be plausible but declared that the tribunal was “not required to reach that issue.” Why? Because Prall had failed to clear an even more fundamental hurdle first. The judge found that Prall had “failed to present any evidence that the tree at issue was originally installed by the Declarant,” a fatal flaw that sidestepped his primary argument entirely.

“While the language of the CC&Rs may lend itself to a reading that Respondent is responsible for the maintenance of the enclosed back yards of the interior homes even if that is contrary to the intention of the drafters of the CC&Rs, the tribunal is not required to reach that issue in this matter.”

Prall had lost the first round not because his interpretation was wrong, but because he hadn’t proven his case on a different, more critical point.

It All Comes Down to “As Originally Installed”

Unsatisfied with the outcome, Prall requested and was granted a rehearing—a second chance to make his case. But this second chance also gave the HOA an opportunity to sharpen its defense, and it zeroed in on the exact clause that had decided the first hearing.

The case was ultimately decided by Section 7.1.4. This clause stated the HOA was only responsible for landscaping “as originally installed by Declarant”—a legal term for the original developer of the community.

This single phrase shifted the entire focus of the dispute. The question was no longer about “Public vs. Private” yards, but about the historical fact of what the developer had installed when the homes were first built around the year 2000.

At the rehearing, the HOA introduced the knockout blow: the testimony of Maureen Karpinski, an early resident and real estate agent who had sold homes in the community during its construction. She testified that to her knowledge, none of the homes were sold with any landscaping in the backyards. Her exact description was that the yards were “just dirt.”

The judge found this to be the “only credible evidence offered.” It completely undermined Prall’s case. If the developer never installed any landscaping in the backyards, there was no “original” landscaping for the HOA to maintain. Their responsibility under the governing documents was zero.

“Suppositions and Inferences” Aren’t Enough

In any formal dispute, the person making a claim has the “burden of proof.” Mr. Prall needed to prove his case by a “preponderance of the evidence,” a legal standard meaning it was more likely true than not.

He tried to meet this burden with logical arguments. He “posited that, given the size of the tree” in a 2010 photograph, it must have been planted when the home was built. He added that the “sprinkler system in his back yard wrapped around the tree as further evidence” that they were installed together by the developer.

But these deductions failed to convince the judge. In the final decision after the rehearing, these arguments were dismissed as the petitioner’s “suppositions and inferences.”

This stands in stark contrast to the HOA’s evidence. While Prall offered logical conclusions, the HOA offered direct testimony from someone who was there at the beginning. This case underscores a fundamental legal truth: personal belief and common-sense deductions are no substitute for verifiable facts and credible, first-hand testimony.

The Final Word is in the Fine Print

This homeowner’s fight over a single tree serves as a powerful cautionary tale. He built a logical case based on his interpretation of a key definition, only to lose because of a clause and a historical fact he hadn’t sufficiently proven.

The lessons are clear. Winning a dispute requires understanding every relevant clause in the governing documents, not just the one that seems most obvious. It requires acknowledging that the history of the community can be more powerful than a present-day interpretation of the rules. And most importantly, it requires presenting concrete proof, not just strong beliefs.

For any homeowner in an HOA, this story poses a crucial question: When was the last time you read your HOA’s documents from start to finish, and what hidden details might be waiting for you?


Case Participants

Petitioner Side

  • Travis Prall (petitioner)

Respondent Side

  • Maureen Karpinski (board member)
    President of the Board; witness
  • Frank Peake (property manager)
    Pride Community Management
    Witness; Owner of Pride Community Management
  • Rebecca Stowers (community manager)
    Witness
  • Lydia Pierce Linsmeier (HOA attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen LLP
  • Nicole Payne (HOA attorney)
    Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen LLP

Neutral Parties

  • Tammy L. Eigenheer (ALJ)
    OAH
  • Judy Lowe (Commissioner)
    ADRE

N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. vs.

Case Summary

Case ID 19F-H1918027-REL
Agency ADRE
Tribunal OAH
Decision Date 2019-01-29
Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Outcome none
Filing Fees Refunded $0.00
Civil Penalties $0.00

Parties & Counsel

Petitioner N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. Counsel
Respondent Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association Counsel Troy B. Stratman, Esq.

Alleged Violations

CC&Rs §§ 3.2 and 7.7

Outcome Summary

The Administrative Law Judge denied the petition, finding that the HOA Board had the authority under the CC&Rs and related documents to remove non-Board ARC members and appoint itself to perform the functions of the ARC, thus validating its approval of the homeowner's detached garage application.

Why this result: The Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent violated CC&Rs §§ 3.2 or 7.7. The Board, having assumed the developer's rights, was authorized to remove and appoint ARC members.

Key Issues & Findings

Alleged violation of CC&Rs regarding ARC dissolution and architectural approval authority.

Petitioner alleged that the HOA Board violated CC&Rs §§ 3.2 and 7.7 by dissolving the ARC and then acting as the ARC to approve a modification (detached garage) for a homeowner.

Orders: Petitioner's petition was denied because he failed to establish that CC&Rs §§ 3.2 or 7.7 prohibited the Respondent HOA from replacing non-Board ARC members, appointing its own members to act as the ARC, or approving the detached garage application.

Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No

Disposition: respondent_win

Cited:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(D)
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)

Analytics Highlights

Topics: HOA, ARC, CC&Rs, Board Authority, Architectural Review
Additional Citations:

  • A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
  • A.R.S. § 33-1803
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(D)
  • A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
  • A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)

Video Overview

Audio Overview

Decision Documents

19F-H1918027-REL Decision – 685758.pdf

Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:33:43 (194.8 KB)





Briefing Doc – 19F-H1918027-REL


Administrative Law Judge Decision Briefing: Dwight vs. Whisper Mountain HOA

Executive Summary

This document summarizes the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decision in case number 19F-H1918027-REL, concerning a dispute between homeowner N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. (“Petitioner”) and the Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (“Respondent”). The Petitioner alleged that the HOA Board violated the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) by suspending the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and subsequently approving a homeowner’s construction application.

The ALJ denied the petition in its entirety, finding that the HOA Board acted within its authority. The decision established that upon the departure of the original developer (the “Declarant”), the Board inherited the Declarant’s full rights and responsibilities, including the power to both appoint and remove members of the ARC. The Judge explicitly rejected the Petitioner’s argument that ARC members held lifetime appointments, deeming such an interpretation contrary to the democratic principles of HOA governance. Consequently, the Board’s decision to remove the non-Board ARC members and appoint itself to serve as the ARC was ruled a valid exercise of its powers, and its subsequent approval of the construction application was not a violation of the CC&Rs.

Case Overview

Entity

Petitioner

N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. (Homeowner and former ARC member)

Respondent

Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (HOA)

Adjudicator

Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky

Case Number

19F-H1918027-REL

Hearing Date

January 14, 2019

Decision Date

January 29, 2019

Core Allegation

The Petitioner alleged that the Respondent’s Board violated two sections of the CC&Rs:

1. § 7.7 (Improvements and Alterations): By approving a homeowner’s application to build a detached garage on September 19, 2018, without the approval of a properly constituted ARC.

2. § 3.2 (Appeal): By creating a situation where the body making an architectural decision (the Board acting as the ARC) is the same body that would hear an appeal of that decision, rendering the appeal process meaningless.

This was based on the Petitioner’s central claim that the Board’s action on August 6, 2018, to “dissolve” or “suspend” the ARC was a violation of the governing documents.

Key Factual Background & Timeline

Prior to 2015: The developer, VIP Homes (“Declarant”), establishes the ARC as required by the CC&Rs.

2015: The Declarant turns over control of the HOA to the resident-elected Board of Directors.

March 15, 2016: The Board adopts an ARC Charter, which explicitly states: “The right to appoint and remove all appointed [ARC] members at any time is hereby vested solely in the Board.” The Petitioner is appointed as one of three non-Board members to the ARC.

2017 or 2018: A proposed amendment to the CC&Rs to formally replace references to “Declarant” with “Board” or “Association” is not adopted by the general membership.

July 17, 2018: The ARC meets to consider a detached garage application from homeowners Mark and Connie Wells. The meeting is contentious, with the Petitioner expressing doubts about the ARC’s authority to grant a variance from city setback requirements. The meeting adjourns abruptly after the applicant allegedly “verbally threatened the committee.”

August 6, 2018: The HOA Board meets and passes a motion “to suspend the ARC committee for 60 days until guidelines/expectations are clarified.” The motion states that in the interim, the Board will review and approve all ARC submissions.

August 24, 2018: The Board sends a letter to the non-Board ARC members, including the Petitioner, informing them of the 60-day suspension.

September 17, 2018: The Board meets and approves a revised application from the Wells, which now aligns with City of Mesa code.

September 19, 2018: The Board, formally acting as the ARC, reviews and approves the Wells’ revised application.

October 22, 2018: The Petitioner files his complaint with the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

November 19, 2018: The Board adopts a “Resolution Regarding the ARC” to clarify its position. The resolution states the Board had “(i) temporarily removed the current members of the [ARC] (via a suspension) and (ii) chose to act and serve as the current [ARC].” It also formally ratifies the approval of the Wells’ garage.

Central Arguments Presented

Petitioner’s Position (N. Wayne Dwight, Jr.)

Limited Board Authority: The CC&Rs (§ 3.4) grant the Declarant the “sole right to appoint and remove” ARC members. After the Declarant’s departure, this section states that members “shall be appointed by the Board.” The Petitioner argued this only conferred the power to appoint, not to remove.

Failed Amendment: The failure of the membership to amend the CC&Rs to explicitly grant the Board the Declarant’s powers proves that the Board does not possess the power of removal.

Lifetime Appointments: The Petitioner argued that once appointed, ARC members could only be removed for specific cause (e.g., moving out of the community, incapacitation) and were otherwise entitled to serve for life.

Improper ARC Suspension: The Board’s action to suspend the committee was a violation of the CC&Rs, as the Board lacked the authority to do so.

Invalid Approval: Because the ARC was improperly suspended, the Board’s subsequent approval of the Wells’ application violated § 7.7, which requires ARC approval for all alterations.

Meaningless Appeals: If the Board can act as the ARC, the appeal process outlined in § 3.2, which allows a homeowner to appeal an ARC decision to the Board, becomes an “exercise in futility.”

Respondent’s Position (Whisper Mountain HOA)

Inherited Powers: Upon the Declarant’s departure, the Board assumed all of its rights and responsibilities under the CC&Rs, including the power to both appoint and remove ARC members.

Authority from ARC Charter: The ARC Charter, adopted in 2016, explicitly grants the Board the sole right to remove ARC members at any time.

Intent of the Board: The Board’s intent was not to abolish the ARC, but to address concerns about the committee’s conduct, including its “way of questioning applicants” and a need for more civility, fairness, and consistency.

Clarification of “Suspension”: The use of the word “suspend” in communications by the management company (Mariposa Group) was “unfortunate and inaccurate.” The Board’s true action, clarified in its November 19 resolution, was to remove the non-Board members and appoint its own members to serve as the ARC.

Valid Approval: The Board was legitimately acting as the ARC when it approved the Wells’ application; therefore, § 7.7 was not violated.

Administrative Law Judge’s Analysis and Conclusions

Interpretation of Governing Documents

The ALJ concluded that restrictive covenants must be construed as a whole and interpreted to give effect to the intent of the parties. The Judge found the Petitioner’s interpretation of the CC&Rs to be unpersuasive and ultimately harmful to the community.

• The Judge stated that the Petitioner’s interpretation “elevates non-elected members of ARC above elected Board members, abrogates any community control over ARC, and does not serve the underlying purposes of the CC&Rs.”

• This “unelected lifetime appointment” concept was found to be contrary to the “democratic principles underlying HOA law in Arizona.”

On the Board’s Authority

The ALJ affirmed the HOA’s authority to manage the ARC as it did.

Assumption of Powers: The decision concludes that “When Declarant turned Respondent HOA over to its Board, the Board assumed all of Declarant’s rights and responsibilities under the CC&Rs and related documents.” This included the power to remove ARC members.

ARC Charter: The Judge noted that the ARC Charter also “expressly provided that the Board had the power to remove as well as to appoint members of the ARC.”

Legitimacy of Actions: The Board was found to have acted within its authority in August 2018 when it “removed the three non-Board members of the ARC and appointed itself to perform the functions of the ARC.”

On the Alleged Violations

Based on the finding that the Board acted within its authority, the ALJ concluded that no violations occurred.

Conclusion on CC&R § 7.7 (ARC Approval): The petition failed on this point because the Board was legitimately acting as the ARC when it approved the Wells’ application in September 2018.

Conclusion on CC&R § 3.2 (Appeals): The petition failed on this point because the CC&Rs do not prohibit Board members from acting as the ARC. While acknowledging that appealing a decision to the same body “may be an exercise in futility,” the Judge noted that under the CC&Rs, the Board is not required to hear appeals in any event.

Final Order and Implications

Order: The petition filed by N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. was denied. The Judge found he had not established that the HOA violated CC&Rs §§ 3.2 or 7.7.

Implications: This decision establishes a strong precedent for interpreting HOA governing documents in a manner that favors functional, democratic governance over literal interpretations that could lead to impractical or absurd outcomes. It affirms that an HOA Board generally inherits the full operational powers of the original developer unless explicitly restricted, and that a Board can act to reform or reconstitute committees to ensure they serve the community’s best interests.






Study Guide – 19F-H1918027-REL


Study Guide: Dwight v. Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association

This study guide provides a comprehensive review of the Administrative Law Judge Decision in the case of N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. vs. Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (No. 19F-H1918027-REL). It includes a quiz to test factual recall, essay questions for deeper analysis, and a glossary of key terms as defined within the context of the legal document.

Short-Answer Quiz

Answer each of the following questions in two to three sentences, drawing exclusively from the provided source document.

1. What were the two specific allegations made by the Petitioner, N. Wayne Dwight, Jr., in his petition filed on October 22, 2018?

2. Identify the key parties in this case and describe their respective roles or relationships to the dispute.

3. What was the purpose and outcome of the ARC meeting held on July 17, 2018, regarding the Wells’ property?

4. Explain the actions taken by the Respondent’s Board of Directors during its meeting on August 6, 2018, regarding the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).

5. What was the Petitioner’s interpretation of CC&R § 3.4 regarding the removal of ARC members, and what was the potential consequence of this interpretation as noted by the Administrative Law Judge?

6. According to the Respondent’s Board president, Greg Robert Wingert, what were the primary reasons for removing the non-Board members of the ARC?

7. Describe the role of the Mariposa Group LLC in this case and explain how its communications created confusion.

8. How did the Board clarify its actions and ratify its decisions in the November 19, 2018 Resolution?

9. What is the legal standard of proof the Petitioner was required to meet, and how is it defined in the case documents?

10. What was the final ruling of the Administrative Law Judge, and what was the core reasoning behind the decision regarding CC&Rs §§ 3.2 and 7.7?

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Answer Key

1. The Petitioner alleged that the Respondent’s Board violated Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) §§ 3.2 and 7.7. The specific violations cited were the dissolution or suspension of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) on August 6, 2018, and the subsequent approval of an application from two members to build a detached garage on September 19, 2018.

2. The key parties are N. Wayne Dwight, Jr. (the “Petitioner”), a property owner and former ARC member, and the Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (the “Respondent”). The case also involves Greg Robert Wingert, the President of the Respondent’s Board, and Mark and Connie Wells, the homeowners who applied to build a detached garage. The dispute centers on the Respondent’s authority over the ARC, of which the Petitioner was a member.

3. The purpose of the July 17, 2018, meeting was for the ARC, including the Petitioner, to consider Mark and Connie Wells’ application for a detached garage. The meeting was abruptly adjourned after the applicant allegedly threatened the committee, and no formal vote was conducted at that time. However, a letter dated July 30, 2018, later informed the Wells that the ARC had approved their request.

4. At the August 6, 2018, meeting, the Board of Directors discussed the need for more consistency and guidelines for the ARC. Citing these reasons and safety concerns from a prior meeting, the Board passed a motion to “suspend the ARC committee for 60 days” and announced that in the interim, the Board itself would review and approve all ARC submissions.

5. The Petitioner argued that CC&R § 3.4 only allowed the Board to appoint, not remove, ARC members. He contended that once appointed, members could only be removed for cause and were otherwise entitled to serve for life. The Judge noted this interpretation would elevate unelected ARC members above the elected Board and abrogate community control.

6. Greg Robert Wingert testified that the Board removed the non-Board ARC members due to concerns about the “manner in which questioning was done in a public forum.” The Board’s intent was not to eliminate the ARC, but to continue the review process while making it more civil, fair, consistent, and transparent.

7. The Mariposa Group LLC was the Respondent’s management company. Its employees, such as Ed Ericksen, were responsible for drafting official communications like minutes and letters. These communications used inaccurate words like “suspend” and “dissolve” to describe the Board’s actions regarding the ARC, which Mr. Wingert testified was an “unfortunate and inaccurate” choice of words that did not reflect the Board’s true intent.

8. The November 19, 2018, Resolution clarified that the Board had removed the existing ARC members and appointed itself to act and serve as the ARC, as was its right under CC&R § 3.4. The resolution explicitly stated that the Board members were the current members of the ARC and ratified all prior architectural decisions made by the Board while serving in this capacity, including the approval of the garage on Lot 18.

9. The Petitioner was required to prove his case by a “preponderance of the evidence.” This standard is defined as proof that convinces the trier of fact that a contention is more probably true than not, representing the greater weight of evidence that is sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue.

10. The Administrative Law Judge denied the Petitioner’s petition. The Judge concluded that the Board acted within its authority when it removed the non-Board ARC members and appointed itself to perform ARC functions, meaning it did not violate CC&R § 7.7 by approving the Wells’ application. The Judge also found no violation of CC&R § 3.2, noting that the CC&Rs do not prohibit Board members from acting as the ARC.

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Essay Questions

The following questions are designed for longer-form analysis. Formulate a comprehensive response based solely on the facts and legal interpretations presented in the source document.

1. Analyze the Administrative Law Judge’s interpretation of the CC&Rs, particularly § 3.4. How does this interpretation address the transfer of power from the “Declarant” to the Board, and how does it counter the Petitioner’s argument for lifetime appointments?

2. Discuss the concept of an “appeal” as outlined in CC&R § 3.2. Evaluate the potential conflict of interest and the issue of futility raised when the Board of Directors also serves as the Architectural Review Committee.

3. Trace the timeline of events surrounding the Wells’ application for a detached garage. How did this specific application serve as the catalyst for the broader conflict between the Petitioner and the Respondent’s Board?

4. Examine the role of communication and language in this dispute. How did the specific wording used by the management company in official documents (e.g., “suspend”) differ from the Board’s stated intent, and how did this discrepancy fuel the conflict?

5. Based on the evidence presented, evaluate the argument that the Board’s actions were a necessary measure to ensure a “civil, fair, consistent, and transparent” architectural review process versus the argument that the Board overstepped its authority as defined by the CC&Rs.

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Glossary of Key Terms

Definition within the Source Context

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

An independent judicial officer (Diane Mihalsky) from the Office of Administrative Hearings tasked with conducting an evidentiary hearing and rendering a decision on the petition.

Architectural Review Committee (ARC)

A committee established to review and approve or deny any improvements, alterations, or other work that alters the exterior appearance of a property. Per the CC&Rs, its decisions are final unless appealed to the Board.

ARC Charter

A document adopted by the Respondent’s Board on March 15, 2016, which provided that the ARC would consist of up to four members appointed by the Board and that the Board vested itself with the sole right to appoint and remove all appointed ARC members at any time.

Board of Directors (Board)

The elected body that conducts the affairs of the Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association. The document presumes they are elected by members to specific terms.

Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)

The governing documents for the Whisper Mountain planned community, recorded on September 7, 2016. They outline the rules for property use, the structure of the HOA, and the functions of bodies like the ARC.

Declarant

The original developer who built the planned community, identified as VIP Homes. The Declarant initially held the sole right to appoint and remove ARC members, a right that transferred to the Board after the developer was no longer involved.

Mariposa Group LLC

The management company employed by the Respondent HOA. Its employees, such as Douglas Egan and Ed Ericksen, were responsible for drafting official communications like meeting minutes and approval letters.

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

An independent state agency to which the Department of Real Estate referred the petition for an evidentiary hearing.

Petitioner

N. Wayne Dwight, Jr., a property owner in the Whisper Mountain development and a former member of the ARC. He filed the petition alleging the HOA violated its CC&Rs.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof required for the Petitioner to win the case. It is defined as “such proof as convinces the trier of fact that the contention is more probably true than not.”

Respondent

The Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (“HOA”), the governing body for the development. The Respondent was represented by its Board and legal counsel.






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