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Residents Angry After Homeowners Association Bans Christmas Decorations

Residents of a Phoenix homeowners association are not happy after they were informed that they will not be allowed to decorate the outside of their homes for Christmas this year. Any residents who put up decorations risk being fined $100 and an additional $100 for every ten days that the decorations remain up. 

Attorneys for Pinnacle HOA said that the temporary ban was put in place because of a “large ongoing paint/stucco repair and maintenance project.” They explained that holiday decorations could prevent workers from doing their job, making the project last longer and cost more money.

“After consulting the firm performing the project, the Association determined this was the best way to keep the project on track because decorations may interfere with access to the relevant areas,” the HOA said.

Even after receiving the explanation, residents are upset they won't be able to decorate this year.

One homeowner said that she understands the reason for the restrictions, but believes that homes which are not undergoing renovations should be able to decorate. 

"In a way, it seems unfair to the whole community that they're not letting anybody do it but you got to abide by the rules," Jan Whitbeck said to ABC15

According to Pinnacle HOA, Arizona state law requires them to treat all residents equally. 

"Everybody here pays for HOA," Jeff Howard told Fox10. "We should be able to put up what we want, and decorate the property we own."

While residents are not happy, Pinnacle said that nobody has been fined and they will be free to put up decorations next year when the construction project is completed.