Restrictive Covenants and Regulation on Signs by Matilde Barone, Covenant and Site Inspector

We want to remind all Members of LOWA that many signs are prohibited. Our community continues to deal with signs being displayed. Please note that residents are responsible to inform contractors they hire of our no sign rule and, if a sign is installed, it is the Member’s responsibility to remove it immediately.

Our Restrictive Covenant 8 A q states: “All signs, billboards, or advertising structures of any kind are prohibited except upon application to and written permission from the Committee.”

Regulation V.H.

1. Signs, Flags or Banners on LOWA Property and Lots: The placing of any sign, flag, or banner on LOWA property is prohibited except in designated areas on the day of an election in accordance herewith or with the written permission of the General Manager.

2. For Sale Signs: Must be a painted (tan is suggested) wooden stake, approximately two inches by four inches, five and a half feet high, driven approximately two feet into the ground, with the lot number and contact phone number displayed. Sellers are also permitted to place one black and white electronically readable barcode or tag on each side of the signpost, not exceeding 3 1/4 by 3 1/4 inches in size, solely for the purpose of providing electronic access to real estate information regarding sale of the property. The stake should be driven within the lot line but not in the ditch between the pavement line of the street and the lot line. Stakes are available from the LOWA Maintenance Department by application. For sale signs on LOWA property are prohibited.

3. Political Signs, Political Flags and Political Banners: Only one political sign, political flag or political banner per issue or candidate, no larger than four (4) square feet may be displayed on any residential lot. All political signs, political flags and political banners are regulated by the Recorded Covenants Section 8.A (g) whereby political flags and political banners and all similar structures are considered to be “advertising structures of any kind.” Any such political sign, political flag or political banner may be displayed no earlier than sixty (60) calendar days prior to Election Day and must be removed the day after Election Day. Political signs, flags or banners on Association property are not allowed except for two exceptions. The first exception is on Election Day. The second exception is on the day of a scheduled political event at which the candidate or candidates will appear in person. For both exceptions, the number, size, content, type, and location of signs, flags or banners shall be determined by the General Manager, in his/ her sole discretion.

4. Yard Sale Signs: Only one sign, no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet on any residential lot on the day(s) of the yard sale. Signs are limited to two consecutive days, three times per year per lot. Yard sale signs on LOWA property are prohibited.

5. Nonprofit, Fund Raising, Informational, Organizational Signs: These signs may be temporarily placed in designated areas with written permission from the General Manager.

6. Business Signs, Flags or Banners: All business signs, flags or banners are prohibited.

7. No Trespassing Signs: (5/2/20) (see Regulation V. H. 7. online at www.LOWA.org).

Enforcement:

The Covenant and Site Inspector will issue violation letters if such signs are displayed, and may assess charges up to $220, which includes the cost of ECC and GM letters. For more information or if you have any questions, please call ECC at 540-972-2211.