“Yes.”
“Is it located on your property?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have permits?”
“Yes.”
“Can you produce them?”
“Immediately.”
I went inside.
I returned with my folder.
Gate permit.
Fence approval.
Electrical inspection.
Driveway approval.
County site plan.
Survey.
Every page was stamped and dated.
Coleman studied everything carefully.
Reyes leaned over his shoulder.
Carol shifted impatiently.
Finally, Coleman closed the folder.
“These permits appear valid.”
“They are.”
He turned toward Carol.
“Ma'am, what legal authority gives the HOA the right to enter this property?”
Carol opened her binder.
“The governing documents allow compliance oversight.”
“Which section?”
She flipped pages.
“Routine compliance authority is recognized in the governing documents.”
“Which section?”
Her fingers moved faster.
“It's a foundational principle of community management.”
“That is not a section.”
Reyes took the bylaws from her.
He read.
Then looked up.
“I don't see a right-of-entry clause.”
Carol's face hardened.
“It is implied.”
Coleman asked, “Do you have a recorded easement?”
“No.”
“A court order?”
“No.”
“Written consent from the property owner?”
“He has refused.”
“Then you don't have consent.”
Carol stared at him.
“He agreed to the HOA when he bought here.”
Coleman's voice remained calm.
“An HOA is not law enforcement.”
For the first time, Carol looked uncertain.
The Deputies Ask Questions
Carol tried another approach.