Inside a unit
A sign visible through a window may involve exterior-appearance provisions. Determine whether the actual language applies rather than extending a lawn-sign rule by assumption.
Why this topic needs careful handling
Residents may want to express support for a candidate or cause. Associations may have restrictions on exterior appearance, signs, and use of common property. A clear policy helps prevent personal political disagreements from becoming inconsistent enforcement.
Do not assume a universal Century Village rule.
Review the association’s documents, property boundaries, applicable law, and current community arrangements. A neighboring association’s practice does not establish your board’s authority.
Private rules and constitutional rights
The First Amendment generally constrains governmental action, rather than ordinary private action. The Supreme Court explains this distinction in Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck.
That principle does not establish that every private association sign restriction is valid. Governing-document authority, applicable statutes, reasonableness, and enforcement practices still need review. An association-specific dispute may require counsel’s analysis.
Read the Supreme Court decision →Identify where the sign is displayed
Balconies, doors & patios
Check boundaries, limited-common-element status, attachment restrictions, and the applicable documents.
Common areas & roadsides
Identify the owner or controlling organization. A condominium board cannot assume authority over every area within Century Village.
Political signs are not the same as protected flags
Florida Statutes §718.113(4) protects specified displays of the United States flag and certain military-service flags under its stated conditions. Those flag protections do not automatically create an equivalent right to display every campaign sign.
Classify the display accurately and review the actual statutory protection before applying a general sign rule.
Read §718.113(4) →A practical board review checklist
- Find the provision. Review the declaration, amendments, bylaws, and existing sign rules.
- Confirm authority. Ask whether the board may regulate the display and whether a document amendment is needed.
- Identify the location. Determine who owns or controls the surface or land involved.
- Review the standard. Confirm what the rule says about size, placement, attachments, timing, and permitted displays.
- Check prior practice. Identify comparable signs and inconsistent exceptions.
- Obtain advice. Have counsel review uncertainty before adopting a ban or taking disputed enforcement action.
- Communicate clearly. Explain the applicable provision and process without discussing political preferences.
- Document consistently. Preserve observations, notices, responses, and resolutions.
Administer the policy fairly
Use objective criteria
As a practical recommendation, focus on clear standards for location, dimensions, attachment, and other permitted conditions. Avoid different treatment based on the candidate, party, or cause.
Keep official communications neutral
Describe the rule and reported condition in factual terms. Avoid using association notices to promote a director’s political views or disparage a resident’s message.
Consistency matters across comparable displays.
Review how other signs are treated under the same provision. Unexplained exceptions can undermine trust and complicate enforcement.
Responding to a reported violation
Verify the facts and applicable provision. Provide a clear explanation and an opportunity to respond through the association’s established process. Do not improvise fines, remove private property, or threaten a lien without reviewing the authority and required procedure.
If fines are considered, Florida condominium enforcement procedures under §718.303 apply. Consult counsel for disputed restrictions, removal, or further legal remedies.
Review condominium enforcement law →Before adopting a new rule
Identify the problem the policy should solve and whether existing provisions already address it. Draft understandable language, review authority and protected displays with counsel, and follow the applicable adoption and notice requirements.
Explain the policy before an election season so residents can plan. Review its effect on real situations rather than assuming a blanket prohibition will be simple to administer.
Questions residents can ask
- Which written provision applies to my display?
- Does it apply to this particular location?
- What size or placement is permitted?
- Who can clarify the policy?
- What process applies if I disagree with a notice?
Board Synergy Club · Watch & learn
Political signs
Political signs can raise questions about community appearance, residents’ expression, and consistent rule enforcement. Use this video as a discussion resource while considering what your association’s adopted documents say about signs, where a sign is displayed, and which questions need professional review before the board acts.
Education, not an individual decision. This externally hosted video is offered as a discussion resource; its contents have not been independently verified for this webpart. Before adopting a sign restriction, demanding removal, or imposing a sanction, ask qualified Florida counsel to review current law, the association’s authority, the adopted wording, and the specific facts. This webpart does not decide whether a particular sign is permitted or prohibited. An embedded video does not establish official UCO or WPRF policy.
Clear rules. Consistent treatment. Respectful communities.
Board Synergy Club · Watch & learn
Sign Rules
Clear sign rules help residents understand expectations for displays in windows, on doors, and in shared areas. Use this BrainyBoard program as a discussion resource when reviewing sign locations, size, installation, duration, and consistent handling of requests and complaints. Consider political signs, real-estate signs, association notices, and other displays separately where their circumstances or applicable requirements differ.
Sign RulesWatch on BrainyBoard ↗This program opens on BrainyBoard. Access is subject to the provider’s current sign-in and viewing requirements.
Education, not an individual decision. This externally hosted program is offered as a discussion resource; its contents have not been independently verified for this webpart. Program information may reflect requirements or practices in effect when recorded and may address association types with different rules. Have qualified Florida counsel confirm current law, the association’s governing documents, the location and type of display, and any protected rights before adopting restrictions or taking enforcement action. Condominium and HOA requirements may differ. This webpart does not determine that a particular sign is prohibited, authorize its removal, or establish a fine or other remedy. Viewing the program does not by itself establish required director education credit. This resource does not establish official UCO or WPRF policy.
Clear standards. Consistent treatment. Respectful communication.
Related resources
Educational overview for Florida condominium associations. Prepared October 3, 2026. No specific association rule is approved or interpreted here. Current law, governing documents, property rights, and circumstances control. Obtain counsel’s advice before adopting or enforcing disputed restrictions.