New Arizona Law Bans Homeowners Associations Regulations on Flag Flying

A new bill signed into law this week by Gov. Doug Ducey (R) protects flag-bearing Arizonans from nagging homeowners associations.

HB 2010 says “Notwithstanding any provision in the condominium documents, an association shall not prohibit the outdoor display of any of the following:

1. The American flag or an official or replica of a flag of the Uniformed Services of the United States by a unit owner on that unit owner’s property if the American flag or Uniformed Services flag is displayed in a manner consistent with the federal flag code…
2. The POW/MIA flag.
3. The Arizona state flag.
4. An Arizona Indian nations flag.
5. The Gadsden flag.

Other flags that homeowners associations may no longer ban include first responder flags, like the “Thin Blue Line” flag, and Blue or Gold Star service flags. The Blue Star service flag represents a family member serving in the armed forces, while the Gold Star service flag represents a family member who died in the line of armed forces duty.

“A lot of people want to express their appreciation to these first responders by flying the flag, but a small number of HOA’s prohibit it. This bill states they can’t do that. People have a first amendment right to honor our heroes,” said State Representative John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills), who sponsored the bill…. (Excerpt from Arizona Sun Times)