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Alarm Company Signs in front of House

Started by AlexC5 • 20 replies • 1259 views

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AlexC5 (Florida)
Posts: 3
Posted:
I'm trying to find out if a homeowners association can tell a homeowner that they need to get rid of a security sign or tell them to get it out of the front yard hidden from view from the street. Anyone have any knowledge of this?

Thanks
Alex
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
My community's CC&Rs forbid all signs except for a single For Sale sign. That said, we've never enforced that against security system signage. I consider these signs to be part of the deterrent value of the system, and you want them to be visible - otherwise what's the point? As long as they're up against the home, I'd give them a pass.

(Cathy's Fearless Prediction #73: As soon as you force people to remove these signs, someone's home will be broken into or they'll suffer a home invasion, maybe even be injured by the bad guys, and someone will sue the association.)

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631
Posted:
The company I used gave me a sticker for my front door since signs aren't allowed. I've also seen people who put a small sing in their window so it can be seen from the outside.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
We allow real estates signs and alarm company signs only.
ChadH3 (Alabama)
Posts: 50
Posted:
An HOA can absolutely prohibit security signs. Many associations only allow for sale signs to market the sale of a house or lot.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
So, Alex, what do your HOA's documents allow regarding signs?
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
So, Alex, what do your HOA's documents allow regarding signs?
AlexC5 (Florida)
Posts: 3
Posted:
The last round of violation notices some of the homeowners received violations for these signs and the residents who got these were very angry. One person posted that it was the law that they can have this sign up but I can find out nothing that supports that. Here is our actual rule which seems standard as it just says no signs period.
Thank you.
Signs. No sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering (except street numbers in front of
Lots or names and addresses on mail boxes) shall be exhibited, displayed, inscribed, painted or
affixed, in, on or upon any part of the Property without the written consent of the Board.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Is this a "rule," alex? Or is it in your CC&Rs (AKA: covenants, [deed] restrictions, declaration)? I'm not sure, but I think it's unusual to prohibit realtor signs.

In fact our (high rise) HOA's CC&Rs prohibit all signs. But our municipal code permits realtor sign. so our Rules state they're permitted, must be remove at the close of escrow, must not exceed a certain size.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Is this a "rule," Alex? Or is it in your CC&Rs (AKA: covenants, [deed] restrictions, declaration)? I'm not sure, but I think it's unusual to prohibit realtor signs.

In fact our (high rise) HOA's CC&Rs prohibit all signs. But our municipal code permits realtor sign. so our Rules state they're permitted, must be remove at the close of escrow, must not exceed a certain size.
JohnC77 (California)
Posts: 562
Posted:
In California, a non-commercial sign cannot be prohibited. An association can limit the type of material used and the size of the sign. I would argue that the sign is not to sell, but to inform that a residence is being monitored.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
It most likely isn't a "law" to display these security signs. It's most likely what some salesperson said to buy and advertise the product. I had one myself but never used the system ever. The dispatch is like Florida not even local.

I don't have an issue with it being posted in a window at the point of entry site. However, think their true purpose of being put outside is for advertising for the alarm company. Don't think the signs bare much on actually running off thieves. Still porch pirates every day on Ring Cams...
Former HOA President
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MelissaP1 on 02/04/2021 5:56 PM
...snip...
I don't have an issue with it being posted in a window at the point of entry site. However, think their true purpose of being put outside is for advertising for the alarm company. Don't think the signs bare much on actually running off thieves. Still porch pirates every day on Ring Cams...

The signs are useful because the bad guys go for the easy targets first. An alarm system sign tells them that they have additional work to do if they try to rob this house.

Deliveries on porches are the easiest of easy targets. Cover your face, grab and run.
GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808
Posted:
In most states, I believe an HOA can absolutely prohibit - if they have appropriate language in their governing docs.

I would, like most, allow unobtrusive signs for deterrent value.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
The answer is: it will depend on your covenants (CC&Rs).

If there are restrictions on signs and the security sign does not comply with the restriction, then the answer is yes.

This is because the covenants are terms that you agreed to comply with when you purchased your home.

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
AlexC5, there is a very specific paragraph in FS 720 about security company signs. Have you read it? FS 720.304(6)
JohnC77 (California)
Posts: 562
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By GenoS on 02/05/2021 11:20 AM
AlexC5, there is a very specific paragraph in FS 720 about security company signs. Have you read it? FS 720.304(6)

ATTA BOY!
GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808
Posted:
Great find, Geno!
AlexC5 (Florida)
Posts: 3
Posted:
WOW,Thank you that is a big help. Didn't know this excised as I'm am very new to all this.
BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217
Posted:
Hey Geno

Good catch. But, who determines what is a reasonable size for the sign? The alarm companies in this part of Texas use signs about 8"x11" on a 2.5' tall aluminum stake.

I can envision some CCO in an association someplace establishing a sign policy which states it can be no larger than a 3" x 5" index card.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Something else to think about - a friend who's also a cop (and who worked in the robbery/burglary department) once told me it's not a good idea to post an alarm sign in front of your house because a good burglar might know exactly how to disarm it. It can serve as a deterrent, so your neighbors will have to decide what's more important.

Having a bunch of signs littering the neighborhood may be a deterrent to potential buyers, so perhaps the board can walk the neigh indoor to see where they are and how large. If you can create a standard, that maybe a good compromise. Of course, this may also mean amending the documents to ensure they're compliant with state law that addresses the issue.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

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