SAN MARCOS, Calif., June 30 (Escondido Times) — A homeowners association in Escondido has ordered residents to take down American flags mounted outside their townhomes, triggering a fight with homeowners who say they will keep displaying the flag ahead of America’s 250th birthday.
HOA documents show the Ambiance Owners Association sent violation notices to Amy and Christopher Cooke and to neighbor Terri Collins. One hearing notice said the flags were attached to common-area fascia and stated: “Flags, signs or banners within and on common areas and/or extending out and into common areas are prohibited.”
The same notice said the Cookes faced a pending $100 fine and were ordered to attend a board hearing on June 30. A separate notice gave them 15 days to remove the flag mount or face enforcement action.
Records reviewed by Fox News Digital show the dispute has been going on for at least three years. In a May 2023 notice, the association told one homeowner that sports flags were prohibited and that “the American flag is the only approved flag to be hung on and within common property.”
Amy Cooke said the conflict began after another resident tried to fly a San Diego Padres flag, prompting the board to revisit its flag rules. She said the association has not explained why her garage door frame is treated as common area rather than exclusive-use common area under the governing documents.
Cooke and Collins have said they will not take down their flags. Attorneys quoted in the reporting said homeowners associations may set reasonable rules on the size, placement and safety of flags, but cannot ban the American flag on private property entirely.
