As the political season heats up, homeowners should know the rules governing political signs in Gastonia homeowners associations. An attorney weighs in on HOA rules concerning these signs.
Political Signs in Gastonia HOAs
Homeowners associations in Gastonia often enforce guidelines found in their Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). New homeowners are expected to review this document before buying a property. These rules affect residents’ ability to display political signs and are crucial to understand.
A civil litigation attorney who works with both homeowners and HOAs explained the rules surrounding political signs in HOA-managed communities. Signs can only be displayed 45 days before an election and must be removed within seven days after the election. HOAs can regulate the number and size of signs as long as their restrictions align with local government ordinances.
The attorney also emphasized that the age of the HOA matters. Associations created before 2005 may have stricter rules, even prohibiting political signs outright. Meanwhile, those established after 2005 are bound by a state law that requires a notice of restrictions to be included in their documents.
HOAs enforce these rules to maintain neighborhood aesthetics. Still, residents who want changes are encouraged to get involved with their community boards to ensure their neighborhood reflects the desires of the homeowners.
