Florida Homeowners Association Sues Disabled U.S. Veteran Over Flagpole In Yard
on Jun 03, 2025
Disabled Veteran Sued Over Flagpole Dispute
A homeowners association (HOA) in Volusia County, Florida, is suing a disabled veteran over a flagpole in his yard.
According to a local news outlet, the Countryside Villas PUD3 HOA has filed a lawsuit against the veteran, saying he failed to obtain approval before installing the flagpole.
Neighbors are coming to the Florida man’s defense, telling the HOA to let him do as he pleases after serving this country.
“Leave the veteran alone. He hasn’t done anything wrong,” one neighbor said. “He’s called me crying that they’re harassing him and bullying him. He’s served this country. He’s paid his dues. They wanted to get him on a flagpole and some weeds in the lawn. It’s pathetic. It’s really pathetic.”
The HOA Claims They Are Strictly Enforcing Policy
In a letter sent to the veteran, the HOA explained that they were only enforcing a policy requiring approval for permanent flagpoles, rather than denying his right to fly an American flag.
When the veteran refused to remove the pole, the association responded by serving an $8000 lawsuit and threatening to put a lien on his house.
The Board of Directors representing the HOA said in a statement that they never told the man a flagpole was prohibited, but was warned multiple times about the situation.
“Factually, this has never been about a flag or a flagpole. The resident was told via multiple correspondences that he absolutely can have them. The situation boils down to that he failed to submit an ARC application, which is required for flagpoles by the HOA. That rule has been in place since 1990,” they said.
“The resident was given multiple opportunities to remedy the situation including assistance from the American Legion and the Elks. He also was given an opportunity at a hearing that he never showed up for. Florida Statute makes it clear that an HOA resident also needs to follow the governing documents which he has failed to do. This situation is no different than any other architectural guidelines in our docs. As a result, a fine was imposed, and he failed to pay the fine.”
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Neighbors Stand Up For The Veteran
Neighbors have come forward to protest the HOA’s actions, saying they are being disrespectful to a man who has fought for the country.
One neighbor in particular, Margaret Murphy, was touched on a personal level as her father was a survivor in Pearl Harbor.
Murphy attended HOA meetings and even took the issue to State Senator Tom Wright, writing him a letter over the ordeal.
“My father was a survivor in Pearl Harbor. He would be rolling over in his grave if I didn’t say something,” she told the outlet.
