2012 Campaign Signs

That time if fast approaching again, a presidential election year. It begins with the primaries and finally ends in November with the election of a President. This time often becomes a problem for most associations.

Many associations have regulations when it comes to posting any type of sign. The most common type of sign that is allowed are “For Sale” signs only. We see many restrictions that prohibit any other type of sign. This, of course, would include a complete ban on campaign or election signs.

It is inevitable that we get requests and questions about campaign signs and the unfairness at not being able to post signs, especially during the presidential election years. Many owners feel that it is their right of free speech to place a sign. However, the association restrictions are a contractual obligation and the owner agreed to the limitation of his/her rights when they purchased the property. The unfortunate reality is that any association that has a prohibition on signs in their declaration has its hands tied, short of amending the declaration to allow specific types of signs.

Where an association allows signs, the restrictions tend to include the number and size of signs that can be placed in a yard, so that the yard does not contain a billboard or have twenty signs out front. The restrictions may also contain rules on when the signs can be put up and when they must be taken down.

If you, as a Board, begin to receive a great deal of push back from your residents due to the sign prohibition during election time, it may be something worth looking into changing. Where it is part of your rule book, it’s often as simple as a board vote. But where it is in the declaration or bylaws, a formal amendment may be required.

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