Condo Media - November 2023 - 12
Asked &
Answered
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21
12:00 P.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
Holiday
Controversy
Decorations in Communities
Decorations in Communities
A controversy regarding holiday decorations broke out
in our community. An owner put out three large blowup
decorations and several small decorations on the
common area in front of their unit - some on the lawn
and some in the bushes. Our documents don't allow placement of anything in the common
area. To some they are cute, and to others they are an eyesore. A complaint was made,
and the board asked the owner to remove them. She refused. What rules should we have
around holiday decorations, and how can we enforce them?
Holiday decorations
are often a sensitive
issue; residents can
feel that their religious
beliefs, their freedom
of expression, or both
are at stake. Disputes
THIS ANSWER WAS
PROVIDED BY
Gary M.
Daddario,
Esq., CCAL
A PARTNER IN THE
LAW FIRM MARCUS,
ERRICO, EMMER &
BROOKS, P.C.,
AND A FELLOW OF THE
CAI COLLEGE OF
COMMUNITYASSOCIATION
LAWYERS (CCAL).
12 CONDOMEDIA November 2023
can result in lawsuits and court decisions.
Both come at great time, eff ort, and expense
to all involved. So, my overarching advice
for boards is to try to avoid having such
a dispute arise (and make every eff ort to
resolve it reasonably if it does).
Dispute avoidance begins with ensuring
that residents have clear and consistent
information and an understanding of
the situation before problems arise. As a
best practice, boards should occasionally
discuss concepts like " common area, "
" limited common area, " and " units " at
community meetings to ensure a general
understanding. This can also be done
through newsletter articles, website
posting, and similar communications.
RULES ADOPTION AND ENFORCEMENT
Next, boards should formally pass any rule.
This should be done in compliance with the
governing documents both as to procedure
and substance. In the event of a discrimination
claim, the rule will be analyzed to determine
whether it is discriminatory " on its
face " (discrimination exists in the wording of
the rule itself) or whether it is discriminatory
in practice (enforcement of the rule results in
discrimination). For these reasons, I recommend
using terminology such as " holiday
decorations " and not making reference to
any specifi c holiday in particular. In addition,
the rule should be worded to apply to all
residents of the community. Avoid identifying
any particular groups in the community
(e.g., children, families, etc.) or varying the
rule based on location within the community
(e.g., units bordering Main Street, units
located behind the clubhouse, etc.). The
rule should be read to convey a message of
general applicability to all. For example,
" All residents throughout the community... "
Condo Media - November 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - November 2023
Contents
Condo Media - November 2023 - Cover1
Condo Media - November 2023 - Cover2
Condo Media - November 2023 - Contents
Condo Media - November 2023 - 2
Condo Media - November 2023 - 3
Condo Media - November 2023 - 4
Condo Media - November 2023 - 5
Condo Media - November 2023 - 6
Condo Media - November 2023 - 7
Condo Media - November 2023 - 8
Condo Media - November 2023 - 9
Condo Media - November 2023 - 10
Condo Media - November 2023 - 11
Condo Media - November 2023 - 12
Condo Media - November 2023 - 13
Condo Media - November 2023 - 14
Condo Media - November 2023 - 15
Condo Media - November 2023 - 16
Condo Media - November 2023 - 17
Condo Media - November 2023 - 18
Condo Media - November 2023 - 19
Condo Media - November 2023 - 20
Condo Media - November 2023 - 21
Condo Media - November 2023 - 22
Condo Media - November 2023 - 23
Condo Media - November 2023 - 24
Condo Media - November 2023 - 25
Condo Media - November 2023 - 26
Condo Media - November 2023 - 27
Condo Media - November 2023 - 28
Condo Media - November 2023 - 29
Condo Media - November 2023 - 30
Condo Media - November 2023 - 31
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Condo Media - November 2023 - 33
Condo Media - November 2023 - 34
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Condo Media - November 2023 - 36
Condo Media - November 2023 - 37
Condo Media - November 2023 - 38
Condo Media - November 2023 - 39
Condo Media - November 2023 - 40
Condo Media - November 2023 - 41
Condo Media - November 2023 - 42
Condo Media - November 2023 - 43
Condo Media - November 2023 - 44
Condo Media - November 2023 - 45
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Condo Media - November 2023 - 47
Condo Media - November 2023 - 48
Condo Media - November 2023 - Cover3
Condo Media - November 2023 - Cover4
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