Homeowners fight back after HOA cracks down on Old Glory

As most of the United States prepares to celebrate Independence Day, one homeowners association is putting its foot down over the nation’s flag.

San Marcos residents are fighting back after the Ambiance Owners Association sent them notices about their American flags. According to Fox News, the dispute can be traced back to 2023, when “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.'”

In May 2026, residents Amy and Christopher Cooke received 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.” Terri Collins received a similar notice and is joining the Cookes in their battle to fly Old Glory outside their homes.

“The journey has been long and hard, and we are ready to put an end to it once and for all,” Collins said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The flag rule was prompted by a resident who tried to fly a San Diego Padres flag, Amy Cooke revealed.

“Both American flags had been flying around here for decades without issue. The fact is it’s about the American flag, distinctly,” she noted, adding that she was baffled by the first notice to remove her flag.

“My first reaction was, ‘No. Wait a minute, this isn’t legal.'”

“According to Cooke, the flag has flown from her garage door frame for more than 20 years in honor of her husband’s grandfather, who was killed in World War II while rescuing fellow sailors. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart,” Fox News reported.

Now that the family is fighting back, the HOA appears to have very little to say in their own defense.

“In a June 19 letter to the HOA obtained by Fox News Digital, the Cookes requested board meeting minutes adopting the flag policy, records supporting the HOA’s interpretation of the property’s common areas and the authority it relied upon in issuing the violation. They also asked that their disciplinary hearing be postponed until those records were produced, writing that the same questions ‘remain unanswered,'” the outlet noted.

X users weighed in:

Sometime I wonder if we still live in the America

— Big guy (@bigguy8512) June 30, 2026

People have become so ridiculous. We live in America. I will fly the American flag in my front yard and NOBODY IS GOING TO STOP ME

— Calirebel (@calirebel2025) June 30, 2026

I bought a townhouse with HOA 36 years ago and the first thing I found out was the people in charge of HOA are there just for power. Seen many stories like this last 20 years.

— Kelly Hannasch (@KellyHannackls) June 30, 2026

I would buy another, and have 2 flags…hell no would I take it down!

— Julie keith (@julsbeach1) June 30, 2026

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