Physical outdoor signage in HOAs for events

HenryS7 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 336

Posted:

For those of you who post a physical sign in your community, how do you do it? What kind of signage (banners, a-frame signs, posters, etc) do you post? For reference, we live in a single family home community, and our advertising is outside.

Currently we use A-frame signs, which work but look a little tacky in my mind. I would like to move to banners but not sure exactly how to support the banners. Looking at other options too.

PatJ1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 568

Posted:

We use printed yard signs for events and information. They are inexpensive and hold up well.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Our HOA your not allowed signage except for For Sale/Rent signs. All other signs (except street) are not allowed. We never really enforced removing political signs. It's usually more like if you got your roof fixed by a company and they put their sign in your yard. That is a big no-no.

Former HOA President

MichaelS56 (Minnesota)
Posts: 859

Posted:

We have placed communication boxes on each side of our clustered mailboxes and insert one-page advertisements for events. We also have an Association website and one of the links is Social Activities and a calendar of events.

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/21/2021 4:21 PM
Our HOA your not allowed signage except for For Sale/Rent signs. All other signs (except street) are not allowed. We never really enforced removing political signs. It's usually more like if you got your roof fixed by a company and they put their sign in your yard. That is a big no-no.

You nincompoop, this is for when the association posts for events.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

and yet again this is the rule event or not. We had a dedicated glass case above the group mailboxes. Plus it was written our documents for meeting day/time. So no need for meeting announcements. We simply did not have outside signs for HOA events. How hard is that to understand?

Former HOA President

ND (PA)
Posts: 792

Posted:

Type of signage would depend on several different things:
- Event being held.
- Length of time signage needs to be displayed.
- Purpose of signage.
- Cost of signage.
- Lead time until event.
- One-time use or anticipated re-use.

In the past we have used both A-frame signage and those yard signs with the wire stakes. Banners to me seem a bit tacky and are the kinds of things you see at apartment complexes and used car lots.

If cost is a factor for you (if I recall correctly, it was a huge deal for you to squeeze a couple hundred out of your board for equipment to improve your meeting methods), then suggest sticking with what you already have.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

We use wire framed yard signs. They can be put virtually anywhere and are highly visible. Although, if you think A-frame signs are tacky, I can imagine you would not like less expensive yard signs.

The biggest issue I see with banners, other than having a place to put them, is the time and trouble to mount them. I suppose if the sign is going to be up for a month or two, it might be worth it, but if it is going up for a short time, it isn't worth the trouble and expense.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaxB4 on 12/21/2021 5:41 PM

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/21/2021 4:21 PM
Our HOA your not allowed signage except for For Sale/Rent signs. All other signs (except street) are not allowed. We never really enforced removing political signs. It's usually more like if you got your roof fixed by a company and they put their sign in your yard. That is a big no-no.

You nincompoop, this is for when the association posts for events.

We're not in middle school. Try to play adult.

LoriM15 (Florida)
Posts: 1,009

Posted:

We have very strict signage rules. To advertise community events, we use a sign case with a glass front next to each exit gate. That's for board meetings, etc. No other types of signs are allowed, even by the master association.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

The only signs allowed in our neighborhood are real estate signs and we have size limit. The HOA uses stick in the wire, stick ground signs to notify of HOA events. Typically up for 30 days or less. Technically we are in violation.........LOL

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

Did I miss something here or wasn't the topic, "what does outdoor signage does the HOA use for event"?. It wasn't what signs a homeowner can or cannot put up.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Well if you can follow a bouncing ball then you would know you can't put up an event sign in the FIRST place if they are NOT allowed. So... Why worry about what signage method is used IF your HOA doesn't allow signs? We don't know if the poster did or did not know about the sign rules their HOA may or may not have.

Former HOA President

PatJ1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 568

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 12:26 PM
Well if you can follow a bouncing ball then you would know you can't put up an event sign in the FIRST place if they are NOT allowed. So... Why worry about what signage method is used IF your HOA doesn't allow signs? We don't know if the poster did or did not know about the sign rules their HOA may or may not have.

Guess it all depends on how the governing documents read. This is in our By-Laws:

9.RULES OF CONDUCT
A.No resident of the Condominium shall post any advertisements or posters of any kind or in or on the Common Property except as authorized by the Association.

Condo, TH, or SF, common property is common property.

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 12:26 PM
Well if you can follow a bouncing ball then you would know you can't put up an event sign in the FIRST place if they are NOT allowed. So... Why worry about what signage method is used IF your HOA doesn't allow signs? We don't know if the poster did or did not know about the sign rules their HOA may or may not have.

So you're saying the HOA Board cannot put up a sign saying that there is a meeting tonight?

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Yes. I am saying that. Read your rules. Our HOA it is written in the rules the Day/Time to have a meeting. It was always on 2nd Thursday at 7 PM every month. Why make a sign if it is written in the documents? Plus all have to do is ask if you are interested in attending a meeting. It wasn't kept a secret.

Other HOA's may have other ways they have to give notice. It may be they have to mail notices. They may be required to give notices in other public ways or do it on a webpage. There are multiple ways of giving notification of meetings besides a sign outside.

Former HOA President

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

We posted a sign at each entrance that said "HOA meeting tonight at 6:30PM." It served as a reminder to all owners and it did increase attendance.

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 12:57 PM
Yes. I am saying that. Read your rules. Our HOA it is written in the rules the Day/Time to have a meeting. It was always on 2nd Thursday at 7 PM every month. Why make a sign if it is written in the documents? Plus all have to do is ask if you are interested in attending a meeting. It wasn't kept a secret.

Other HOA's may have other ways they have to give notice. It may be they have to mail notices. They may be required to give notices in other public ways or do it on a webpage. There are multiple ways of giving notification of meetings besides a sign outside.

These are the things about HOAs that seem ridiculous to me. Like JohnC46 said his HOA is probably in violation for their signage. Who cares? It seems a simple and inexpensive way of informing owners of HOA events and they don't have to worry about electronic notification not reaching everyone or go to the expense of postal delivery.

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

I'll leave it to the "experts" here.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BancsS on 12/22/2021 1:23 PM

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 12:57 PM
Yes. I am saying that. Read your rules. Our HOA it is written in the rules the Day/Time to have a meeting. It was always on 2nd Thursday at 7 PM every month. Why make a sign if it is written in the documents? Plus all have to do is ask if you are interested in attending a meeting. It wasn't kept a secret.

Other HOA's may have other ways they have to give notice. It may be they have to mail notices. They may be required to give notices in other public ways or do it on a webpage. There are multiple ways of giving notification of meetings besides a sign outside.

These are the things about HOAs that seem ridiculous to me. Like JohnC46 said his HOA is probably in violation for their signage. Who cares? It seems a simple and inexpensive way of informing owners of HOA events and they don't have to worry about electronic notification not reaching everyone or go to the expense of postal delivery.

We are considering writing ourselves (the BOD) a violation letter with a hefty fine..........LOL

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 12:26 PM
Well if you can follow a bouncing ball then you would know you can't put up an event sign in the FIRST place if they are NOT allowed. So... Why worry about what signage method is used IF your HOA doesn't allow signs? We don't know if the poster did or did not know about the sign rules their HOA may or may not have.

It depends on where it is not allowed. In our subdivision our common area is not subject to the restrictions. I would think most HOAs have different rules for commons areas.

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

I think common sense should prevail here. I understand a neighborhood not becoming cluttered with signs all over the place but I see the HOA using an outdoor sign as a good way to communicate certain events with the members.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I am not saying I agreed with the no sign rule. Matter of fact, I never told anyone to take a sign down even during political season. So this isn't a personal thing for me. It is just that SOME HOA's have strict rules about signs and flags. Before you decide to put a sign up, make sure it's allowed. Don't assume it's okay.

Our city during political season allows signs to be put up at like intersections etc... during election season. However, as soon as the voting is done, everyone has to remove them in a week. A HOA that can turn into a complicated mess. What if I put up a sign saying do not spray? What about "No dogs/cats". Do not park here? After awhile signs add up. At what point does the HOA have to become the "Sign police"?

Former HOA President

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 5:19 PM
I am not saying I agreed with the no sign rule. Matter of fact, I never told anyone to take a sign down even during political season. So this isn't a personal thing for me. It is just that SOME HOA's have strict rules about signs and flags. Before you decide to put a sign up, make sure it's allowed. Don't assume it's okay.

Our city during political season allows signs to be put up at like intersections etc... during election season. However, as soon as the voting is done, everyone has to remove them in a week. A HOA that can turn into a complicated mess. What if I put up a sign saying do not spray? What about "No dogs/cats". Do not park here? After awhile signs add up. At what point does the HOA have to become the "Sign police"?

It's the HOA (I assume the HOA Board) putting up the sign to inform owners of HOA events. You don't seem to understand the topic.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I understand it very well. Board members ARE HOA members too. It NOT excusable for the board to put up signs. If anything, they are the ones who should be following the rules. Don't you think?

Former HOA President

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 5:31 PM
I understand it very well. Board members ARE HOA members too. It NOT excusable for the board to put up signs. If anything, they are the ones who should be following the rules. Don't you think?

I give up.

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BancsS on 12/22/2021 5:43 PM

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/22/2021 5:31 PM
I understand it very well. Board members ARE HOA members too. It NOT excusable for the board to put up signs. If anything, they are the ones who should be following the rules. Don't you think?

I give up.

Me too

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Good. Cause your argument doesn't make sense if you want the Board to be allowed to put up signs while the rest of the membership can't. Never a good example for those in charge of enforcing the rules... Go figure...

Former HOA President

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

It's wonderful that some HOAs place signs to let members or all residents know that events are occurring that might interest them

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KerryL1 on 12/22/2021 6:58 PM
It's wonderful that some HOAs place signs to let members or all residents know that events are occurring that might interest them

I agree. The entity of an HOA Board in many circumstances has the right to create rules without homeowner approval. So if a rule states that no signs are allowed, the Board may create an exception that allows them to erect a sign/s informing owners of HOA events. Simple as that. That does not mean that the individual homeowner who happens to be a board member may violate the sign rule. The HOA board holds powers that individual homeowners do not have.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

All good and said till someone says at your next board meeting or online "The BOD puts up announcements at the front entrance for meeting and special events, why can't I put up a Yard sale sign?"...

Former HOA President

HenryS7 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 336

Posted:

OP here. I don't understand the argument here. I was asking about how HOAs that advertise outdoors do it. I got some helpful suggestions and then a lot of arguing that is pointless.

Let's stay on track, please.

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/23/2021 7:36 AM
All good and said till someone says at your next board meeting or online "The BOD puts up announcements at the front entrance for meeting and special events, why can't I put up a Yard sale sign?"...

You previously said, "Our HOA your not allowed signage except for For Sale/Rent signs. All other signs (except street) are not allowed. We never really enforced removing political signs."

You obviously felt comfortable ignoring your rules so why do you have a hard time accepting Henry's situation? Seems kind of hypocritical.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I never said I was against it. I just stated one needs to make sure their HOA does NOT have rules against it before doing it.

Former HOA President

BancsS
Posts: 269

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By HenryS7 on 12/23/2021 7:38 AM
OP here. I don't understand the argument here. I was asking about how HOAs that advertise outdoors do it. I got some helpful suggestions and then a lot of arguing that is pointless.

Let's stay on track, please.

My apologies HenryS7. I don't typically engage in the discussions that turn into arguments and not helpful suggestions. It is pointless as you said. You did get some useful ideas.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

I agree the arguing was pointless, Henry.