SAN MARCOS, Calif., June 30 (Escondido Times) — An Escondido homeowners association has ordered residents to remove American flags mounted outside their homes and warned of fines, escalating a long-running dispute over how the community’s flag rules are enforced.
The Ambiance Owners Association sent Amy and Christopher Cooke a violation notice saying their flag mount broke the association’s policy and had to be removed within 15 days or face enforcement action, according to the notice.
A separate hearing notice said the flag was installed on 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 notice said a $100 fine was pending and set a hearing for June 30.
Terri Collins, another resident, also received a violation notice over an American flag displayed outside her home. Amy Cooke said the dispute began after another resident tried to fly a San Diego Padres flag, prompting the board to revisit its rules.
Association records show the fight has been going on for at least three years. In a May 2023 notice, the association said sports flags were prohibited and that “the American flag is the only approved flag to be hung on and within common property.”
Cooke said the board has not explained why her garage door frame counts as a common area rather than an exclusive-use common area under the governing documents. Courtney Corbello, a lawyer with the Center for American Liberty, said California law allows associations to set reasonable rules on the manner, placement or safety of flag displays, but not to bar homeowners from flying the American flag on their own property.
