Yes you are forced to accept the rules or you cannot get a deed. The Declarations and Covenants of developments which contain the documents creating the HOA "run with the land" so you take the land subject to those tyrannical instruments like you would if there was any other lien on the property like a right of way or easement, etc. It is really really difficult to break up these documents. You basically have to buy all the property and then undo the documents, or get every property owner to sign off on it.