California HOA threatens fines for flying the U.S. flag. Some residents are fighting back
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Set us as preferred Amy Cooke and her husband have been proudly flying the U.S.flag outside their San Marcos condominium for more than 20 years.
But now their homeowners association is threatening them with a $100 fine, arguing the display of Old Glory flies in the face of community rules.Cooke has made it clear that the flag isn’t coming down without a fight.“It’s a symbol of freedom,” she said in an interview with The Times.
“What does it say to people who are risking their lives for our country ...that we can’t fly this flag? It makes me very angry.” California California has new homeowners association rules.
For most homeowners, fines are now capped at $100, thanks to a new housing bill.The fight between residents in the complex and the Ambiance Owners Assn.began in 2024, after the HOA passed a policy prohibiting any flags, signs or banners from being displayed in common areas.
At the time, neighbors like Cooke thought the policy was meant to deter flags showing support for sports teams or espousing political views.Cooke said she assumed the American flag would be excluded, given that flying the banner is protected under state and federal law.
But not long after the policy was enacted, neighbors in the San Diego County community started getting letters about their Stars and Stripes.Resident Terri Collins has already been fined $100 — a penalty she’s refused to pay — for flying the U.S.flag outside her condo.
The red, white and blue banner has been on display outside every home Collins has ever lived in, even the apartment she and her husband, Dave, occupied shortly after they were married.“Dave and I grew up in homes where it was very patriotic,” she said.
“It’s always been our tradition.We’ve always stuck a flag out in front of our home and it will always be that way.
These people are...