Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtleyWilkins
Hmm. In our area, these high school signs stay up all year round. It isn't unusual at all. They go up in August and don't come down until after graduation. In fact, many homes have several signs for band members, football players, choir members, etc. It's completely tradition and absolutely typical.
I would never buy a home in an HOA community for this kind of stupid petty crap.
That said, I would write a letter to the HOA voicing my frustration with the enforcement changing simply to appease the quarrel of two specific residents, and I would suggest that since it has previously been acceptable practice, the HOA might consider altering their rules about the timelines for such signs that might be a reasonable compromise, still support the schools and students, and create a time parameter for the future use of such signs. I'd probably still take it down in the meantime, but I'd very surely put it up again in the weeks surrounding graduation.
HOA's are petty, snoopy, controlling organizations. LOL.
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Thanks Artley. your area sounds like mine. Lots of signs everywhere. I did call the HOA today and advised of my concerns. I specifically asked why this was being enforced now but never was in the past. the woman said it was enforced up until the pandemic when they stopped enforcing it to "give kids and families a break". I told the lady that people were not getting letters even before the pandemic, she had no answer to that and said well maybe security missed those houses. I also asked did something happen to cause this change? (trying to get her to divulge details in case the rumor of a neighbor spat is true). She brushed me off saying nothing has changed and that no signs has always been the rule. She said anyone who leaves sign up will be called to a hearing and fined.
Based on this phone call and the advice of you and other posters here (who have helped me so much), I've decided to take down the sign temporarily, then I will put it back up closer to graduation date as I found a clause in the covenants stating "seasonal decorations for holidays and special occasions may be put up 30 days prior to occasion and removed 15 days after occasion". So at that point in time the sign will be a seasonal decoration to mark the occasion of graduation.
On a side note, I spoke with one neighbor today who informed the school booster club (who sold these signs to everyone) that our entire neighborhood is being asked to remove these signs. The booster club is going to try to meet with the HOA to get them to allow these signs. Personally, I don't think they will have any luck in changing the HOA's position because if the HOA backtracks and allows the school booster club signs, other neighbors with different signs will call foul on that and demand to put their signs back up. So you can't do for one if you're not going to do for all kind of thing.
I feel good about my decision. My daughter was a little miffed that the sign is down, but I explained to her that I will eventually put it back up.