In response to several complaints regarding controversial political signs and flags, the POA Board of Directors approved a new rule that prohibits the display of signs and flags that have obscene material and/or fighting words.
The new rule, GR.4.6, states that regardless of size, no sign, poster, flag, or banner viewable from the common area shall contain any obscene material or fighting words as those terms are defined in the law.
The fine for violating this rule is $250 per week if the sign, poster, flag, or banner is located on a member’s separate interest. The fine is $250 per occurrence if located within the community setback or common area.
The term “obscene material” is defined as matter, taken as a whole, that to the average person, applying contemporary statewide standards appeals to the prurient interest, that, taken as a whole, depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and that, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
The term “fighting words” is described as those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
