New HOA Flag and Sign Bill Took Effect on Sept. 7

My June 10th column, which you can read at www.JimSmithColumns.com, concerned a “freedom of expression” bill passed by the legislature prohibiting HOAs from restricting the display of flags or signs by homeowners, whether political or other non-commercial signs. 

I warned that this could unleash a flood of partisan signs which could be detrimental to the harmony of neighborhoods. The bill was signed by Gov. Polis on July 7th, so it’s now law.  I haven’t seen a surge of  “Trump Won” or “Black Lives Matter” signs which might have previously been banned by HOAs, but the law only took effect last week, so only time will tell what the effect will be.

HOA rules now have to be “content-neutral.” Only the size and number of signs can be regulated. I’ve seen only one HOA (the Highlands Ranch Community Association) issue new rules consistent with the law. They limit each home to 2 signs up to 18”x24” except during a specified Election Period, when  5 signs up to 3’x4’ are allowed.

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Author: Jim Smith, Broker

Jim Smith is best known for his weekly "Real Estate Today" column published on the Real Estate page of The Denver every Saturday and in 24 metro area weekly newspapers the following Wednesday or Thursday. Individual articles are also published at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com. Over a decade of the columns are archived at www.JimSmithColumns.com.

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