Know rules for displaying political signs

With the election in November, it is important to keep in mind that there is a state statute that pertains to the display of political signs and it affects planned communities.

An association member may display a "political sign" 45 days before an election and seven days after an election. The display may be indoors or outdoors.

However, the display must be on the member's property and the association can still regulate or ban displays on the common areas.

A political sign is a sign that attempts to influence the election of a public officer or attempts to influence a public measure such as a ballot measure, a proposition or the recall of a public officer.

The association may regulate the size and number of political signs as long as the restriction is no more restrictive than the applicable town, city or county ordinance.

If there is no applicable ordinance, the association must, at a minimum, allow one sign as long as the sign is not larger than 2 feet square.

If you have any questions regarding political-sign displays, please do not hesitate to contact us at 480-922-9292.

Attorney Curtis Ekmark of Ekmark and Ekmark in Scottsdale focuses on association law. He is president of the Scottsdale Council of Homeowners Associations and vice president of West Valley Homeowner Associations.