Another busy-body HOA fines residents for flying American flag

[MCgrease08]

Utah homeowners fined for flying American Flag | Fox 59

The president of the homeowners association spoke to KSTU and was steadfast in her decision to enforce the fine. She said she was tired of seeing flags, not just the American flag, flying up and down the street all day and night, and 365 days of the year.

"Flags are flown on holiday events," said Lyn Steinbergen, president of the HOA. "All we are trying to do is regulate when the flag goes up and when it comes down.”

It seems this was not a previous condition of the HOA agreement, but basically an arbitrary decision by the board.

One resident summed it up pretty well...

"That is not a holiday decoration," she [Erin Worthen] points out. "People have died for that, it is not a holiday decoration."

If this doesn't make your blood boil, I don't know what will. Last time I checked, the flag wasn't just reserved for holidays.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Board needs to realize that "decoration" is what lets them have the power to be the little Napoleons they are being. (instead of being forced to rely on .gov for enforcement of rules/laws they may or may not agree with)

 

[Informed Decision]

I agree!! The American Flag is NOT a decoration flag. The two terms simply don't go together ! I hope the local population is raising hell over that! I believe I'd have to get out of Dodge, even at a loss. I'm sure there would be some yuppie wanting to "move up" into a neighborhood like that. When bought my home years ago I made sure there were no restrictions to worry about.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Not to completely hijack the thread, but somewhat related...

There's a Noble Romans yard sign in the entry of our neighborhood. I don't know who the hell put it there... but it pisses me off.

Can I take it down and trash it, or is that theft?

The neighborhood has a "no solicitation" sign on the entry stone thing... so technically I don't think it should be there.

I noticed it was there last week, it was gone yesterday, and it's back today.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Not to completely hijack the thread, but somewhat related...

There's a Noble Romans yard sign in the entry of our neighborhood. I don't know who the hell put it there... but it pisses me off.

Can I take it down and trash it, or is that theft?

The neighborhood has a "no solicitation" sign on the entry stone thing... so technically I don't think it should be there.

I noticed it was there last week, it was gone yesterday, and it's back today.

On a totally unrelated note, if you find trash in the common area, you should throw it in a trash can. Its called being a good, responsible neighbor.

 

[MCgrease08]

Board needs to realize that "decoration" is what lets them have the power to be the little Napoleons they are being. (instead of being forced to rely on .gov for enforcement of rules/laws they may or may not agree with)

Oh the irony.

 

[edporch]

Anybody who chooses to live where there's a Homeowners Association is ASKING for trouble, and shouldn't be surprised when trouble finds them because that's what Homeowners Associations do.

I NEVER have and never will live where there's a HOA.

 

[jblomenberg16]

Flying the American flag is all but a requirement in my neighborhood. We are in the country and built on some old farm ground. There are a few dead restrictions to help protect property values, but nothing over the top. We do have an annual picnic, and before we eat we pray and say the pledge of allegiance.

 

[SMiller]

Anybody who chooses to live where there's a Homeowners Association is ASKING for trouble, and shouldn't be surprised when trouble finds them because that's what Homeowners Associations do.

I NEVER have and never will live where there's a HOA.

x2

 

[femurphy77]

Not to completely hijack the thread, but somewhat related...

There's a Noble Romans yard sign in the entry of our neighborhood. I don't know who the hell put it there... but it pisses me off.

Can I take it down and trash it, or is that theft?

The neighborhood has a "no solicitation" sign on the entry stone thing... so technically I don't think it should be there.

I noticed it was there last week, it was gone yesterday, and it's back today.

They make GREAT target holders. Just sayin', oh and they're not supposed to be putting that crap in the right of way, more than likely against (town, city, burb) ordinances.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Not to completely hijack the thread, but somewhat related...

There's a Noble Romans yard sign in the entry of our neighborhood. I don't know who the hell put it there... but it pisses me off.

Can I take it down and trash it, or is that theft?

The neighborhood has a "no solicitation" sign on the entry stone thing... so technically I don't think it should be there.

I noticed it was there last week, it was gone yesterday, and it's back today.

I thought they recently passed a law saying that those signs had to be taken down every day. I know it's not enforced, but I believe it came about from all the housing addition/realty signs that clutter up medians in the proximity of whatever neighborhoods where realtors/developers are hawking their model homes.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Anybody who chooses to live where there's a Homeowners Association is ASKING for trouble, and shouldn't be surprised when trouble finds them because that's what Homeowners Associations do.

I NEVER have and never will live where there's a HOA.

This... x 100.

 

[OutdoorDad]

Home owner associations are tricky things.
Usually the best way to effect change is to run against the current officers and fire the existing HOA legal council at the earliest opportunity.
The rules are made by the HOA and can generally be changed at any time.

A million years ago, I suggested this strategy at an HOA meeting. It surprised me at how quickly the a-hole lawyer who was being rude to little old ladies realized there were enough votes in the room to reduce his paycheck. And then took a more global perspective about personal taste, freedoms, and arbitrary rules imposed by bored housewives.

Sometimes people are are counciled to do what they can, rather than what they should.

 

[nascarfantoo]

The HOA better have back-up if the come to take the Stars & Stripes at our house.

 

[femurphy77]

The HOA better have back-up if the come to take the Stars & Stripes at our house.

Give me a call, I'll bring a six pack and some extra ammo, sounds like more fun than a hot tub and a bug zapper any day!

 

[Gary119]

You guys know the flying of the United States Flag is protected under the "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005"
Making it illegal for a HOA to restrict homeowners from displaying a U.S. flag.

Neighborhood Association denial of flag | American Flags Forum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_Display_the_American_Flag_Act_of_2005

 

[IndyDave1776]

Arson. A game the whole neighborhood can enjoy!

 

[Gabriel]

If this doesn't make your blood boil, I don't know what will. Last time I checked, the flag wasn't just reserved for holidays.

It doesn't make my blood boil at all. If one moves into a home in a neighborhood with an HOA, they get what they deserve. The rules and regulations are up for constant addition and changes. What was fine one day may not be the next... and they signed an agreement. Too bad, take down your flag.... and then move.

 

[SMiller]

It doesn't make my blood boil at all. If one moves into a home in a neighborhood with an HOA, they get what they deserve. The rules and regulations are up for constant addition and changes. What was fine one day may not be the next... and they signed an agreement. Too bad, take down your flag.... and then move.

Word! Don't sign a contract then ***** about the rules of said contract.

 

[cyprant]

The problem is, they cannot make a rule restricting properly displaying The Flag of the United States.

I wouldn't live in an HOA either, but this one is worth *****ing about.