July 3, 2026 | Mark Luis Foster

It’s a noisy time of year as folks gather together to blow stuff up. It was John Adams who called for plenty of pomp and circumstance, including fireworks, every time the nation’s birthday rolled around, and at least in my southern HOA, there are plenty of official and “unofficial” fireworks celebrations to soak in.

But it’s also noisy with some flag controversy. From California and Fox Digital:

Residents in San Marcos, CA, whose townhome community is governed by the Ambiance Owners Association, are refusing to remove American flags displayed outside their homes despite notices from the homeowners’ association.

Apparently this HOA board decided that flag flying of any kind was strictly against the rules. But Old Glory too?

Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital show the dispute dates back at least three years. In May 2023, the HOA notified one homeowner that sports flags were prohibited while stating that “the American flag is the only approved flag to be hung on and within common property.”

So it was okay until then to fly the American Flag in this CA HOA.  What happened?

By May 2026, however, the HOA issued Amy and Christopher Cooke a violation notice alleging the American flag mounted outside their home violated the association’s flag policy and directing them to remove the flag mount within 15 days or face enforcement action.

Some legal eagles weighed in:

“California law is clear. While homeowners associations may adopt reasonable rules governing the manner, placement, or safety of flag displays, they cannot prohibit homeowners from flying the American flag on their own property,” Courtney Corbello, counsel at the Center for American Liberty, told Fox News Digital.

Read all the ugliness HERE.

If you’re in a MN HOA, fly your American Flag with pride!  Happy 250th, everyone.