In a Las Vegas suburb, a military veteran is standing his ground against his homeowners’ association (HOA) after being cited for showcasing vintage fire hydrants that honor his military service and extensive career in firefighting.
Brent Saba, who has served as both a fire inspector and firefighter, recently received a directive from his HOA demanding the removal of three non-functional hydrants from his front yard. These hydrants hold personal significance, reflecting key moments in his life.
The homeowners’ association argues that the hydrants are in breach of neighborhood rules concerning landscaping in front and side yards, as reported by KSNV News 3 Las Vegas.
Saba, however, points out that these hydrants, one of which he brought home from a deployment in Iraq, have been part of his home’s exterior for over a year without any previous objections from the HOA.
“This hydrant right here, I brought back from Iraq,” Saba explained. “I served there for about a year to a year and a half. It’s a special piece for me.”
Despite the HOA’s stance, Saba notes that many of his neighbors have expressed their support for his display, as relayed to KSNV News 3.
“How are they going to tell the guy with over 30 years in the fire service, you got to get rid of your fire hydrants? I mean, it’s not like it’s clutter,” Saba said. “It’s not like it’s defacing anything. … My neighbors all even think it looks good.”
After receiving the citation, Saba said the HOA instructed him to submit an application to keep the hydrants.
Despite providing written support from neighbors, Saba’s request was denied.
He said he later received additional communication suggesting further homeowner approval might be required, KSNV News 3 reported.
“I’m a fire inspector and when I write up a violation on a building, imagine if I wrote up something that didn’t even apply to what the write up was,” he said. “I would look like a fool.”
The HOA has since informed Saba he may keep the hydrants, he confirmed Saturday to FOX Business.
“I mean this HOA in this neighborhood is out of control,” Saba said. “… The HOA thought that they could bully me and manipulate me.”
The dispute has left Saba reconsidering his future in the neighborhood, according to KSNV News 3.
“It was just kind of for me was the last straw,” he said. “And I was like, ‘I’m not gonna go down without a fight.’ I’m hoping things actually improve for this neighborhood.”
Attorney Chad Cummings of Cummings & Cummings Law told Realtor.com that disputes like this are not uncommon.
“HOA boards misapply their own governing documents all the time, and this case is a textbook example,” Cummings said. “The board cited a rule about ‘storage items’ to regulate what are decorative display pieces. That distinction matters.”
The Antelope HOA could not be immediately reached by FOX Business for comment.
