Homeowner's Associations Suck

[lakemonster11]

I got home today and saw, much to my delight, that my dad had put out two normal-sized Kerry signs in our yard. When I walked in the door my dad looked angry. He said that the head of the Homeowner's Association had called to tell him he had to take the signs down. When my dad had pointed out that one of our neighbors had had a Dino Rossi sign up for over a month, the guy said that he didn't know that, and would call to tell them to take theirs down, too.

We haven't taken them down yet, but should we? I can't decide what would make me more upset---giving in, or having to see my parents dealing with whatever bullsh*t consequences the HA would dish out.

[Lefty48197]

1. I don't think the HA has that much authority

they can regulate trees and fences and paint colors and stuff, but I think political speech is sacred. Leave them up.

[progressivebydesign]

6. No. HOA's have A LOT of power.. Read the CC&Rs. sad but true. n/t

[Nite Owl]

2. I'd want to see it in writing and

signed when you took title first. I would think it was free speech and it isn't permanent like a fence or house color.

[lakemonster11]

3. It's definitely against the rules.

My parents knew that---that's why they hadn't put them up before. But one of our neighbors has had a Dino Rossi sign up for well over a month, so we figured they weren't enforcing it.

Plus, during the last election, there were Mike Rundle signs all over the place.

But, in Sahalee (just across town) they had a lawsuit a few years ago over a similar regulation and the Homeowner's Association lost bigtime.

We all think it's obvious that the jerk didn't bother to enforce the (idiotic and unconstitutional) regulation until a Democratic sign went up.

I think I'm going to write a letter to the Times. Or maybe the Stranger so I can swear. ;)

[claudiajean]

4. Political speech cannot be restricted by HA covenants...

...your folks' homeowners' association CAN restrict other types of signs, fence heights, even paint colors, as long as it was all spelled out in the purchase contract for your home, but the State Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear that political speech(including signs) cannot be restricted, outside of sign sizes that may impact health or safety. Like you can't block a stop sign with a political sign...

If your homeowners' association wants a legal fight, and you're willing to give it, I'd keep your signs up. (It probably wouldn't take more than a letter from an attorney pointing out the appropriate Sup. Ct. decision, and also pointing out the astronomical settlements available to the injured in civil rights cases.)

This is definitely a "Bring it on!" moment.

[Jamesm9164]

5. Leave them Up

I would think you would have all kinds of support this year. I, for one, would be happy to back you. We need to stop Home Owner Associations from abriding our political rights.

[progressivebydesign]

7. If it's in the title when you took the home, they CAN enforce it...

.. and it's ugly. You can face fines and foreclosure. THAT's why we passed on a gorgeous house here when we moved. We asked for the CC&Rs before we finalized the deal. 80 pages long! NO LIE! Regulating things like for sale signs, pets, driveways, landscaping, etc. I'll never live somewhere like that. NEVER.

[lakemonster11]

8. Well, we took them down,

but not before everyone in the neighborhood drove past them on their way home for the weekend, and not before we'd made sure those Rossi supporters were taking theirs down, too.

That HA guy sure made himself some enemies, though. And I wouldn't want my mom as an enemy---she's the queen of practical jokes. ;)