Las Vegas veteran Brent Saba responds after HOA went after his fire hydrant display.

Las Vegas Veteran Fights Back Against HOA Over Fire Hydrants

A Las Vegas veteran is pushing back against his homeowners association (HOA) after facing criticism for displaying vintage fire hydrants, which hold significance due to his military service and lengthy career as a firefighter.

Brent Saba, who works as both a fire inspector and firefighter, was recently told by the HOA to remove three inactive fire hydrants positioned in front of his house.

Local news has reported that the association claims these items breach neighborhood rules regarding front and side yard landscaping.

Saba has had the hydrants on display since moving to the neighborhood over a year ago without any issues. One of these hydrants, he noted, was brought back from Iraq during his deployment. “This fire hydrant here, I brought it back from Iraq,” Saba said. “I served in Iraq for about a year, year and a half, so my mission there was special.”

He also mentioned that many neighbors support his display, as stated by local media.

“How do you tell someone who has been working in the fire department for over 30 years that they have to remove the hydrants? I mean, it’s not a mess,” Saba commented. “All the neighbors even think it looks nice.”

After being cited, the HOA instructed Saba to submit an application to keep the hydrant. Despite support from neighbors, his request was refused. He indicated that he received further communications suggesting additional homeowner approval might be needed.

“I’m a fire inspector, and when I write up a building violation, imagine if I write something that doesn’t even apply to what I wrote. You’ll look stupid,” he remarked.

He later confirmed to FOX Business that the HOA has informed him it may allow him to keep the hydrant.

“That means the HOA in this area is out of control,” Saba stated. “The HOA thought they could bully and manipulate me.”

According to KSNV News 3, this ongoing dispute has led Saba to reconsider his future in the neighborhood. “It was kind of the last straw for me,” he said. “And I thought, ‘We’re not going to go down without a fight.’ I hope that things actually improve in this area.”

Attorney Chad Cummings, from Cummings & Cummings LLP, pointed out that such conflicts are not unusual. “HOA boards routinely misapply their governing documents, and this case is a textbook example,” he explained. “The council cited the ‘stored items’ rule to regulate decorative exhibits. That distinction is important.”