Forsyth County

Man faces hefty HOA fines for flag display

FORYSTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Forsyth County man says he's offended after his homeowners association threatened fines for displaying American flags on his property.
 
Stacy Campbell showed Channel 2's Matt Johnson the six small flags he says he was forced to take down or face a $300-a-day fine.
 
His family has a long history of military service, including his son who currently serves in the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
"Anytime that he has on his uniform or something like that, it makes you so proud," Campbell told Johnson.
 
But when he put the small American flags up on his porch this month, his homeowners association sent a letter threatening a $50 fine per flag for every day they are left up.
 
"It hurts your heart to think that you can't do that," Campbell said.
 
The letter came from the Olde Atlanta Club HOA. Campbell admits he didn't read all of the bylaws when he moved in to his home a year and a half ago.
 
"You don't really take the time to read the whole list of everything that goes on," Campbell told Johnson.
 
One of the bylaws says a 4-inch by 6-inch American flag "is allowed to be hung in front of the house from a pole that is physically attached to the house."
 
Campbell thought he could use the flags he had.
 
"It's not like I'm putting a pink pig in my front yard. This is just an American flag," Campbell said.
 
Johnson called the HOA compliance chairman Tuesday and left a message last week asking for comment, but he has not responded.
 
Campbell hopes his HOA board will ease up on the enforcement at least for Memorial Day weekend.
 
"Just a little bit of common sense I think would be a lot easier," Campbell told Johnson.  
 
He said the board offered him a chance to plead his case at its meeting in July.