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HB 528

Property Owners' Assoc. Act; managed conservation landscaping, unreasonable restrictions prohibited.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Krizek and 2 co-sponsors

Virginia bill prohibits HOAs from unreasonably restricting conservation landscaping like native plants and drought-resistant vegetation to encourage environmental sustainability.

Left in General Laws
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Bill Summary · HB 528

Legislative bill overview

HB 528 prohibits homeowners associations (HOAs) from imposing unreasonable restrictions on managed conservation landscaping—landscaping designed to reduce water consumption, promote native plants, or minimize chemical inputs. The bill aims to prevent HOAs from blocking sustainable landscaping practices while preserving their ability to maintain neighborhood aesthetics through reasonable regulations.

Why is this important

As water scarcity becomes more pressing and environmental sustainability gains priority, this bill addresses the tension between individual property owners' desires to implement eco-friendly practices and HOAs' traditional enforcement of uniform aesthetic standards. Many homeowners face fines or legal action from HOAs for replacing grass with drought-resistant plants or native vegetation, even when such changes reduce environmental impact and long-term costs.

Potential points of contention

  • "Unreasonable" definition ambiguity: The bill doesn't clearly define what constitutes "unreasonable" restrictions, potentially creating litigation over whether specific HOA rules violate the law
  • HOA authority vs. individual rights: Property rights advocates may view this as necessary consumer protection, while HOA defenders argue it undermines community self-governance and property value protection through uniform standards
  • Enforcement burden: Unclear who investigates complaints and how disputes are resolved, potentially shifting litigation costs to HOAs or individual homeowners

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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