Neighborhood association covenants actually do regulate a lot of those things especially chickens and other livestock. It seems that more are relenting to allowing people to keep a few chickens, but certainly goats, pigs and other farm animals are out of the question. Pools, lawns and landscaping are often subject to rules as well.

I've heard of these HOAs, but I've lived in the 'burbs most of my 50+ years and I've never had one. Clearly some people like HOAs or they wouldn't exist.