With voting season around the corner, more homeowners are going to want to display their political preference with signs in their yards. No matter your political views, it is important to have rules and regulations for displaying political signage in your community. Here are four steps to help guide your community in posting political signs in a respectful and tasteful manner.
1. Research the laws of your city, county and state.
Most cities, counties and states already have laws in place regarding the size and quantity of political signs homeowners can post on private property. To reduce the chances of residents accusing the HOA of violating their First Amendment rights, try basing your rules around the existing laws.
2. Reference existing CC&Rs
Check your current CC&Rs for rules regarding signage in the community. Usually, associations have reasonable regulations allowing residents to display signage as long as they meet city/county code, the CC&Rs, and do not distract from the neighborhood appeal. By referencing your CC&Rs, you can be sure you are enforcing the right rules and that they make sense for your community.
3. Set timeframes
After election day, it is a good idea to have a timeframe for when political signage must be removed. Most CC&Rs include a timeframe for signage, and homeowners should be respectful by removing signs once Election Day has passed. For a more streamlined process, consider also including guidelines on how long signs can be posted leading up to an election.
4. Handle requests for removal of political signs respectfully
Regardless of the topic, it is imperative to work with homeowners in a respectful manner. To avoid conflict or accusation of the board violating a resident’s First Amendment rights, be civil and candid regarding any violations. Give the homeowner a copy of the CC&Rs to help them understand the rules. Be sure to enforce the rules equally and never remove signage by force no matter your political opinions.
Your legal obligation is to protect the community while striving to be understanding regardless of political views. The best way to handle all HOA issues, including political signage, is to establish good communication with the residents and ensure homeowners understand the guidelines. In most instances, following these four steps will help keep the peace in your community. Now all that is left is to go vote!
For more tips on managing your HOA community, be sure to visit our blog where we provide board members with helpful articles on a regular basis.
