Display of Signs

Started by CherylB • 7 replies • 2623 views

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CherylB (Maryland)
Posts: 4

Posted:

I live in a homeowners association in Maryland. Is there anywhere that
I can find a county or state code that would tell me if an HOA cannot
legally ban the display certain signs? I know that they can't ban
candidate signs. I am trying to find out if an HOA can ban
"Beware of dog" signs if you own a dog or ban the display of an
alarm system sign.

The CCRs state that only a for sale or rent sign can be displayed
in the front yard. The community is 20 yrs old and people have always
displayed alarm system & Beware of Dog signs. Now it seems to be
becoming an issue.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

ONLY For Rent and For Sale signs are allowed in a majority of HOA's only. However, the signs you are talking about can be displayed in other areas than the front yard. I had both the alarm system sign and the beware of dog signs displayed at my house. The alarm sign wasn't in the front yard. They were stickers on the windows. The only free standing sign of the alarm was in the flower bed near the front door but not outwardly displayed.

The beware of dog sign was placed on my fence. It again was NOT blatantly placed in the front yard for all to see. That may be the difference your looking for. The placement of the signs in the front yard versus discrete areas such as windows and fencing.

Former HOA President

CherylB (Maryland)
Posts: 4

Posted:

All of the alarm system signs I have seen are posted in flower beds.
The "Beware of Dog" and "No Trespassing" signs I have seen are
the typical signs or the smaller scale version. These are attached
typically to the gate leading to the rear yard. In our community,
fences can come up to the front corner of the home, most do not.
Technically, they aren't displayed in the front yard.

I was hoping to find some 'legal backing' for the display of signs.
Particularly the "Beware of Dog" sign.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By CherylB on 08/06/2007 2:41 PM
All of the alarm system signs I have seen are posted in flower beds.
The "Beware of Dog" and "No Trespassing" signs I have seen are
the typical signs or the smaller scale version. These are attached
typically to the gate leading to the rear yard. In our community,
fences can come up to the front corner of the home, most do not.
Technically, they aren't displayed in the front yard.

I was hoping to find some 'legal backing' for the display of signs.
Particularly the "Beware of Dog" sign.

Cheryl:

I am not aware of anything but am far from an expert. It will all depend on how hard your board is to work with. If they question the Beware of Dog sign I would make sure you have in writing that they would not allow that, in case anything ever happened. We are a litigous society, if they are not going to allow warning signs they should understand their liability goes up. The same for alarm signs, just the presence alone of a sign is a deterrent.

LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526

Posted:

CherylB--- Our HOA has as similar limitation on signs..HOWEVER...I have 3 lab dogs....My homeowners insurance requires that my property be posted for liability issues...So I designed a cute little sign with a bicycle up against a gate......under a tree.....and because our proprty is fenced stated:
PLEASE DO NOT OPEN GATE...DOGS ON PREMISES !!!!!!!!!! My insurance company says it fulfills their requirement and my HOA said it was cute and would be allowed....... I personally DID NOT want to post that ugly black and orange sign to draw attention to the property........Maybe this will be of some help to you...LindaC

JeanneK3 (Maryland)
Posts: 562

Posted:

I live in Maryland and there are state statutes in the Maryland Condominium Act and the Homeowners Association Act that address only public election candidate signs. The signs can be up 30 days before the election and must be down 7 days after the election. All other signs are regulated by either your association's covenants or rules and regulations.

DaneC (California)
Posts: 210

Posted:

Here is a site that deals with Maryland dog bite law - woof

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/Maryland.html

Compliments the Great Dane.

CherylB (Maryland)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Thanks, I will check out the dog bite law.

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