Arizona HOA Flag and Sign Display Laws: A.R.S. 33-1808

What the law covers

Arizona statute A.R.S. 33-1808 limits a planned community association's ability to prohibit specific displays, signs, and community activities. It protects the outdoor display of designated flags, political signs, cautionary children signs, real estate signs, door-to-door political activity, recreational roadway activities, and peaceful assemblies of members.

Please note that an association's governing documents and later amendments may also apply where allowed by this statute.

Key requirements and limits

Under the statute, associations must allow specific displays subject to clear regulations:

• Flags: Associations cannot prohibit displays of the American flag, uniformed services flags, POW/MIA flag, Arizona state flag, Arizona Indian nations flag, Gadsden flag, first responder flags, blue/gold star service flags, historic American flags (including the Betsy Ross flag), or flags of major non-NATO allies established May 14, 1948. Associations may limit members to two wall-mounted holders, display of no more than two flags at once, and flagpoles up to rooftop height.
• Political Signs: Associations cannot prohibit political signs, but can restrict displays earlier than 71 days before a primary election, later than 15 days after a general election, or later than 15 days after a primary election for non-advancing candidates. If local municipal sign ordinances do not regulate size and number, total aggregate sign area cannot exceed nine square feet.
• Cautionary Signs: Signs regarding children are allowed if displayed in residential areas, not taller than three feet, professionally produced, displayed only when children are present within 50 feet, and removed within one hour after play ceases.
• Real Estate Signs: For sale, rent, or lease signs (up to 18 by 24 inches) and riders (up to 6 by 24 inches) cannot be prohibited or charged a fee. Open houses cannot be banned, though associations may prohibit open houses held before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.
• Association-Specific Political Signs: For board elections, recall, or ballot measures, signs are permitted from the date ballots are provided until three days after the election, with a maximum aggregate dimension of nine square feet.

Notice, hearing and deadlines

The statute specifies exact statutory timeframes and operational rules:

• Political sign removal: Must be removed no later than 15 days after the election.
• Cautionary signs: Must be removed within one hour after children stop playing.
• Open house hours: Associations may prohibit open houses before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.
• Lien Rights Forfeiture: An association or managing agent that violates subsection G (real estate sign protections) forfeits and extinguishes its lien rights under section 33-1807 against the property for six consecutive months following the violation.

Practical checklist for homeowners

• Read your governing documents and later amendments to understand specific association rules.
• Check local town, city, or county ordinances regarding political sign size and quantity limits.
• Keep copies of all notices, sign dimensions, and records of communication.
• Check the official statute text for updates.