I live in a development with a HOA. But we aren't fanatics about it. Usually, if you miss the annual meeting, you get elected to the board. :) The original developers established the HOA because there were a few lots either too big or too small to meet zoning regulations. And the covenants were pretty standard boilerplate. Among the rules, no RV parking on the street for more than 24 hours.
Once a simple majority of lots were sold, the homeowners got together and altered the rules. Among them, RVs had to be parked behind the front line of the house for storage, but we can park on the street for 24 hours for loading or unloading.
As for me, I already owned a warehouse building about 3 miles from home with 3 12'x 12' doors. No neighbors and no windows. A place to park my 'C' and Jeep toad and still have room enough to build a very nice bar with cable TV and full bathroom facilities and a juke box that plays old 45s. Its known by me and my friends as "The Clubhouse".