Debbie Rudd
Submitted photo
By Debbie Rudd | Executive Director, Arizona Association of Community Managers
The 2024 election has arrived. Whether by voting, attending a campaign rally or simply talking with their neighbors, Arizonans across the state are making their voices heard.
Another popular method to support a candidate is through putting up a yard sign outside a home. Yard signs are a great way for voters to show support for their candidate or cause and get the word out on the election.
There are policies, however, that govern when and where signs can be placed outside a home.
Homeowner’s associations typically have a variety of rules that residents must follow. This allows voters to support their political causes while keeping HOA-governed communities well-kept during the bustle of an election season.
State law allows for political signs to be put up 71 days before the primary election and gives homeowner’s associations the authority to regulate their size and how many a resident may post on their property. Additionally, state law requires signs to be removed 15 days following the election — mirroring the two-week deadline that political candidates must follow when their own races end.
Common areas within HOA-led communities are considered property of the association. That means residents must check with the HOA before posting political signs in these community open spaces. State law permits the removal of political signs when they’re placed on property without permission from the owner, and this includes neighborhoods owned and governed by a HOA.
It's important to note that any citations issued by the HOA shouldn’t be ignored. You have rights. If you live in a community that is professionally managed, that company can be helpful in making sure residents and the HOA each understand what is allowed under state law and the HOA’s rules.
Organizations like the Arizona Association of Community Managers exist to provide training regarding the posting of political signs and a host of other issues so that HOA-governed communities can be professionally run and stay in compliance with the law.
Happy Election Day!
Editor’s note: Debbie Rudd is executive director of the Arizona Association of Community Managers. Reach her at Debbie@aacm.com. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
