The Gull's Call - Oct/Nov/Dec 2024

ArchitecturalNews 'Tis the Season for Political Expression by Anisa Dominguez, Architectural Standards Manager POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS W ITH THE PENDING ELECTION ON THE HORIZON, many may be wondering if it’s OK to display political campaign signs on their property. Davis-Stirling states: Associations cannot prohibit political signs, posters, flags or banners on or in an owner's separate interest. (Civ. Code § 4710.) In planned developments, residents can display signs in their yards in windows, on doors, and on the sides of their houses. In condominiums, they can display signs on the inside of their windows and on balconies. They cannot put them on exterior windows, doors or walls since those are common areas. TYPE OF MATERIALS Noncommercial signs may be a poster, flag, or banner made of paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, or fabric. Associations can prohibit signs made of lights, roofing, siding, paving materials, flora, or balloons, or any other similar building, landscaping, or decorative component, or include the painting of architectural surfaces. (Civ. Code § 4710(b).) SIZE OF SIGNS An association may prohibit noncommercial signs and posters that are more than 9 square feet in size and noncommercial flags or banners that are more than 15 square feet in size. (Civ. Code § 4710(c).) CONTENT Signs, posters and flags displaying obscenity or fighting words can be restricted. According to Community of Harbor Bay Isle Sign Regulation (House Rule #HR-01), a political campaign sign shall mean a sign designed for the purpose of advertising support of or opposition to a candidate or proposition for a public election.

Section III. Limitations, Subsection B, Item 2 - Political Campaign and Event Signs: a. Political Campaign and Event Signs are Temporary Signs. b. Political Campaign and Event Signs are permitted but must be removed within five (5) days following the election and/or event. c. Posting Political Campaign signs in Community Common Areas or Project Association property is prohibited. Additionally, Section VI. Temporary Sign, Subsection E states: Temporary sign durations: Political Campaign Sign. Temporary signs on behalf of candidates for public office and for or against ballot measures, to be removed no later than two (2) days after the election. For a full copy of HR-01, please contact FrontOffice@ harborbay.org. HOLIDAY LIGHTS & DECORATIONS D AVIS-STIRLING STATES: ASSOCIATIONS ARE allowed to decorate the common areas for religious holidays, such as Christmas and Hanukkah. The First Amendment's "separation of church and state" does not apply to homeowner associations. Davis-Stirling recommends boards should allow members to decorate their homes and balconies for the holidays. While the Community Architectural Rules are silent on holiday lights and decorations, many Association Architectural Rules limit the duration in which lights and/or decorations may be displayed. For instance, Bay Isle Pointe, Baywood Village, Headlands, Lantern Bay, Seastrand, Sandpiper Cove, and Woodbridge all have similar rules which state: Holiday multicolored, decorative lights in front yards and on houses are only allowed to be installed each year after November 20th, and must be removed by January 31st in the following year. Centre Court has a rule that all holiday decorations shall be removed no later than 15 days after the holiday. Harbor Pointe rules state seasonal or holiday decorations upon the exterior of a residence must be removed by 21 days after the event. Make sure to check your association's rules and/or email your Association Manager if you are unsure of your associaiton's policy or have any questions.

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The Gull’s Call