Political Signs Around East Hills: Guidance from the HOA

Over the next few months we are going to enter a period in which there will be several elections and as a board we realize that many residents like to express their allegiance to a candidate by posting a campaign sign on their property.  We also realize that signs posted outside of a campaign period can cause a nuisance and friction among other residents who see them as creating clutter that makes the neighborhood look untidy.

A strict interpretation of the Covenants that govern such matters in East Hills, shows that only ‘for sale’ signs, located on a property that is for sale, are permitted.  While the First Amendment does permit freedom of speech - and a sign could be interpreted in this way - this Amendment actually relates to an individual’s rights in relation to government and does not apply to private agreements, such as the covenants, to which residents’ knowingly assent when they sign the deeds to a property in East Hills. 

 Section 11 of the Protective Covenants (Page 13), states that:

 “No signs of any kind shall be displayed on any Homesite  or Home and no advertising of any kind shall be placed or conducted upon a Homesite or in a Home except: one sign of not more than five (5) square feet advertising the property “for sale” or a sign used by a builder during construction.”

 You can view the covenants online here: https://easthillsloudonville.blogspot.com/p/east-hills-covenant-documents.html Alternatively, please send me an email with your name and address and I will be happy to send a hardcopy to you.

The Board has decided, however, to provide some guidance as to what it considers permissible in terms of political signs, so that we acknowledge the desire of residents to support a candidate, and also to balance the views of other residents who see them as an unsightly intrusion into the appearance of the neighborhood.

The Board has decided upon the following agreement in relation to political signs:

      1.    Presidential Elections: Residents are permitted to place a political sign on their property for a period of TWO MONTHS prior to the date of the election. The sign must be for a candidate who is standing in the election. Signs should be removed after the election.

      2.  Primary Elections: Residents are permitted to place a political sign on their property for a period of TWO MONTHS prior to the date of the election. The sign must be for a candidate who is standing in the election. Signs should be removed after the election.

     3. School Board Elections: Residents are permitted to place a political sign on their property for a period of ONE MONTH prior to the date of the election. The sign must be for a candidate who is standing in the election. Signs should be removed after the election.

     4. Other Local Issues: Residents are permitted to place a political sign on their property for a period of ONE MONTH prior to the date of the election. The sign must be for a candidate who is standing in the election. Signs should be removed after the election.

      Signs placed upon land owned by East Hills Homeowners Association without permission, will be removed.

      I hope that you see this as a fair and equitable approach to a matter that does cause some concern for residents and our aim is to balance the different viewpoints, but also to ensure that good neighborliness is encouraged and that the appearance and peace of East Hills is preserved for the benefit of everyone.

      If you have any concerns or questions about this guidance, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be pleased to discuss this with you.

Email: easthillsblogmaster@gmail.com