Election Signs

1. Please - proof-read what you typed once more.
2. Are there any other bylaws that talk about signs? What comes before and after this bylaw?

Susan,
Do you think that they allow window or door signs with the 5 sq.ft. allowance?

Limitations on Signs.

No “for sale” or “for rent” or brokers signs shall be erected, placed or permitted in the yard of any Lot,

and

any such sign
(as may be located other than in the yard)
shall not be more than five (5) square feet.

No
advertising signs,
billboards,
or object of unsightly appearance or nuisances
shall be erected, placed or permitted to remain
on any portion of any Lot.

___________________________________________________________________

MEANS:

No "for sale" or "for rent" signs can be place IN THE YARD.
BUT if you place one in any place OTHER than the yard, it can't be more than 5 ft. square.

Other signs (listed) and junky signs can't be placed anywhere.

This doesn't say anything about where you can put political signs or about their size.

This is yet another example of a rule that should be re-written.

To be honest, it is so poorly written as to mean whatever the current Board decides it means. If you have a PM anything like ours he/she will assume your sign is advertisement and send you a violation notice.

I am about of the opinion that these things should have to pass a test before recording. If three out of five people stop and say "what?" then the person attempting to file said rules gets fined and sent on their way.

I agree it is a very poorly worded and could mean whatever the board wants it to mean. This was one of the jewels that was left to us by the builder. I am on the board and there is a little some disagreement as to what it means and currently the rules go a bit farther and say “no signs” but I think that is because when the rules were written the board interpreted the decs as meaning no signs in the yard. Currently the board is trying to change the decs but have a very apathetic HO group so it will probably fail.

We are single family homes and I am trying to work within the decs but to change the rules to give people more freedom for election signs, birth announcements and others. Thanks for your help.

Rich, check to see if Illinois has state statutes which over rule the Declaration of CC&Rs. Colorado statutes do on political signs.

Ellen,
Read Dons post with the "First Amendment Center" as it gives you correct information.

Funny, you didn't object to that "right" when you agreed to follow the CC&Rs.

If you want that "right" in your HOA, then go through the proper channels to make it part of the documents.

Produce an amendment for the other members, who also agreed to follow the documents, to vote on and agree to.

Remember, this is NOT a government institution, it is a corporation that you entered into an agreement with.

Nice attitude for a board member who is supposed to be working to maintain the integrity of those governing documents. . . .

I think it's time to close this thread.

Rich,

In a few days, this topic will be moot. However, now is a good time for the board to address the problem and perhaps amend the gov. docs accordingly. They shouldn't wait til the next election comes around. Many states have adopted a law saying HOAs cannot prohibit the display of political signs. Here's how the AZ law reads:

"C. Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on that member's property, except that an association may prohibit the display of political signs earlier than forty-five days before the day of an election and later than seven days after an election day. An association may regulate the size and number of political signs that may be placed on a member's property if the association's regulation is no more restrictive than any applicable city, town or county ordinance that regulates the size and number of political signs on residential property. If the city, town or county in which the property is located does not regulate the size and number of political signs on residential property, the association shall permit at least one political sign with the maximum dimensions of twenty-four inches by twenty-four inches on a member's property. For the purposes of this subsection, "political sign" means a sign that attempts to influence the outcome of an election, including supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer or supporting or opposing the circulation of a petition for a ballot measure, question or proposition or the recall of a public officer."