Displaying political signs at home may lead to conflicts with HOAs or neighbors

With a high-stakes presidential election less than three months away, voters are expressing their enthusiasm for Team Trump or Team Harris with political signs, flags, and banners of all sizes in their front yards.

But many are learning the hard way that displaying your political leanings can backfire.

Paul Wood Bonilla of Lodi, CA, was recently told by his homeowners association to take down three Trump signs on his property. According to CBS News Sacramento, the HOA claimed that Bonilla’s signs exceeded maximum size limits set by the Davis-Stirling Act. Bonilla eventually (and reluctantly) agreed to take down two of the three signs but argued, “Would they do that if it said Kamala Harris on here?”

Even in cases where HOAs aren’t cracking down, you could brew some bad will with your neighbors. After Birmingham, MI resident Nikki Sapiro Vinckier planted signs in her yard promoting Harris for president, she received a critical yet anonymous note from a neighbor. Vinckier responded by plastering her entire yard in signs—in pink, no less—to promote reproductive rights. She told the Detroit Free Press, “my goal is to start a conversation” and “stay lighthearted.”

Sometimes these neighbor-on-neighbor feuds can garner national headlines. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann experienced this around the time of the 2020 presidential election and the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their neighbor Emily Baden in Alexandria, VA had posted anti-Trump signs on her lawn. In response, Martha-Ann raised an upside-down American flag in front of her house.

“My wife is fond of flying flags,” Justice Alito wrote in a statement to explain his wife’s actions. “I am not.”

“This was one of the craziest things I’ve ever experienced in my life,” recalls Baden who has since moved to San Francisco.

All this raises questions about rules for posting signs, flags, and other forms of political expression on personal property.

While homeowners may have a constitutional right to place a sign supporting their preferred candidate in their yard, this freedom might conflict with neighborhood rules.

“Many HOAs have strict guidelines for displaying political signage and flags,” says real estate investor Jerry O’Reilly of Cash Buyers Home Crew in Houston. O’Reilly notes that he himself lives under an HOA's regulations: “I’m not allowed to have flags without a flag mounting on the house that meets certain requirements.” Although his HOA does not restrict sign sizes specifically, he acknowledges that many others do.

In many U.S. subdivisions,“you may have contractually agreed to give up some of your rights," says Bruce Ailion of Re/Max Town & Country in Atlanta.“You could be fined if you violate that covenant.”

In today’s politically polarized environment,“keeping your political opinions out of your yard could be a simple way to avoid unnecessarily rubbing your neighbors the wrong way,” says Sam Fitz-Simon,a real estate agent with Compass in Danville, CA.“I have specifically had clients want to move out of their recently purchased homes due to flags in the neighborhood they found offensive.”

This sentiment underscores how buyers consider not just homes but neighborhoods as well.“Even one sign can cause someone to feel uncomfortable,” Fitz-Simon adds.

For home sellers trying to sell before an election,“political signs can quickly turn off potential buyers.” Most agents advise clients against displaying them—especially in photos and advertisements.“Political signs can absolutely have a negative impact on a house sale,” says Fitz-Simon.“I always advise my clients to keep everything inside and outside the home as neutral as possible."

Your neighbor’s political views can also kill deals. O’Reilly mentions one buildable lot lingering unsold due possibly due to "a massive political party flag" next door dampening buyer interest.

Before putting up any sign or flag,"read your bylaws carefully if you live under an HOA," advises O'Reilly.For those wanting general guidance,"check out the U.S.Department of Defense’s ‘Do’s and Don’ts for Displaying Old Glory.’"

If annoyed by a neighbor's sign,you could report it (if within an HOA),discuss it civilly or simply ignore it.Before flying any flag or planting any sign,weigh whether it's worth potential hassle.Some will find it essential; others will opt out altogether."I've never had a political sign in my yard,and I don't see when I ever will," Ailion concludes.