AITA for asking neighbor(s) to stop putting signs in my yard?

On a sunny weekend, a corner lot buzzes with the usual chaos—garage sale chasers, nosy neighbors, and yet another “Moving Sale” sign staked boldly into a homeowner’s private yard. For this Redditor, it’s a familiar headache: their property, mistaken for public space, becomes a billboard for strangers’ ads. But when a new sign, backed by a vague “HOA approval” note, comes with a glaring neighbor and slow drive-bys, the situation escalates from annoyance to confrontation.

This tale of turf wars and tangled easements pulls us into the fray of property rights and community clashes. As the Redditor stands their ground, explaining their legal rights to an unyielding neighbor and an HOA board member, readers are left wondering: how far would you go to protect your own land? Dive into this backyard battle and decide for yourself.

‘AITA for asking neighbor(s) to stop putting signs in my yard?’

I live on a corner lot. On one side it's a neighborhood road and the other side is a big old public road. Part of my property has several easements and it's easy to mistake these areas as common areas, but it's all actually private property. The amount of people who assume they can use these areas of my land is mind boggling.

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Every weekend there are at least 2-3 signs in my yard. 'Spa Sale', 'Gun Show', 'Real Estate XYZ', 'Moving Sale', you name it. Not only do I find them trashy personally, but they're illegal per city regulation (illegal in public right of way, permit required, or landowner permission required).

People also sometimes think they're my signs - where I have to stop and explain yet again to a random garage sale chaser that it's not my sale, or to city police code enforcement.. The story: I removed yet another 'Moving Sale' sign and thought nothing of it until I came out the next morning to another one, this time placed further into my yard and a suspicious angry looking dude sitting in his car across the street.

Closer inspection revealed a small note at the bottom that 'the HOA approved the sign' and not to remove. Signed: 'A Board Member'. Just like that. No name, phone number, just 'A Board Member'. As I removed the sign suspicious guy turned on his car and sped off - into our neighborhood.

Then for the next couple of hours or so, the same guy/car would repeatedly do slow drives by the front side of the house (where I was working), glaring at me - so obviously it was his sign. Now I have been confronted but I've never had anyone do anything like this before.

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So I decided to end it by returning the last sign and explaining why I was removing them - and proceeded to do exactly that. I walked until I saw the yard sale, asked if this was their sign, then calmly explained that it was a frequent error for people to assume it was open space but it was actually my property and the city will fine me for having temporary signs in my yard, please stop putting them there, yada yada.

As I'm turning to walk away, the guy from the car goes 'It's actually HOA property', like he didn't listen to a thing I just said, so I assured him it most certainly was not HOA property, it was mine, and he can verify that with the county assessor's office if he were so inclined.

I go to walk away again and now the lady ('The Board Member') is chastising me too! For removing her sign, for not coming to talk to her (both of which I was technically doing), 'my actions are completely unacceptable this isn't how you behave'.

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Absolutely no recognition for either her or her husband's behavior. Anyways, the HOA is involved now and they're all acting like I'm being a huge a**hole. I just don't get it. This is my property, just stay the f**k off of it, right?

Owning a corner lot can feel like guarding a castle under siege, and this Redditor’s sign saga proves it. Their frustration stems from neighbors mistaking private land for public space, exacerbated by an HOA board member’s baseless claim of authority. The neighbor’s drive-bys and dismissive attitude reflect a disregard for property boundaries, while the Redditor’s calm explanation went ignored, escalating tensions.

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This scenario mirrors a broader issue: homeowner rights versus community assumptions. A 2023 report by the National Association of Realtors notes that 25% of homeowners face disputes over property lines, often due to unclear easements or HOA overreach. The Redditor’s legal stance—backed by city ordinances against unauthorized signs—is solid.

Real estate attorney Susan Smith advises, “Homeowners must assert their property rights clearly, especially with easements. Documentation and visible markers prevent disputes”. The Redditor could post “Private Property” signs, install cameras, or send a legal notice to the HOA to clarify ownership.

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For resolution, attending an HOA meeting with a property survey could shut down misinformation. A decorative fence might deter future signs.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

The Reddit crew came out swinging, dishing out practical tips and righteous support with a dash of humor. From calls for cameras to cheers for standing firm, the comments light up this property line feud. Here’s what they said:

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cooolcats212020 - NTA. Get a private property sign and a camera. Also on that sign saying police will be phoned for trespassing.

LuvMeLongThyme - Get a lawyer to write the “board members” a “f**k off and leave you and your property alone” letter. It will be *well* worth the expense. You know the HOA has a lawyer. If you are in the right-and I sincerely hope you *are*, that should stop it. NTA and the nerve of those people. NTA

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HorizonsKidGotLucky - NTA. Why they think they can put up signs on someone else's property is beyond me.

Pinkie_Flamingo - NTA. Might be time to landscape the corner so as to prevent the problem.

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Algebralovr - NTA. ONE board member cannot approve a sign, either.. Sounds like you need to do all of the following: 1) have your lawyer notify the HOA that signs in YOUR YARD (include the plat map as part of the letter) are not permitted, and are against city ordinance.

2) Attend EVERY HOA meeting, and make certain that the other members as well as the board hear the letter from your lawyer 3) Put up some sort of marking (can be a small decorative fence?) to show where your property line is, without blocking traffic or sight lines

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4) add cameras, and if a sign is added, start notifying the sender in writing that they tresspassed. I'd seriously consider calling the police to ask them to cite the person for tresspassing.

nails_for_breakfast - NTA. You should probably make your city code enforcement office aware of this standing issue. And if this couple keeps harassing you I'd call the police

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[Reddit User] - I will NEVER live in a neighborhood with an HOA.

best_name_ever_ever - NTA. But those people are T A. Of course you can remove those signs from your property. They have to verify with the county, if they don't believe you.

perhapsnew - NTA, of course.. Let them engage with HOA. It's their problem now. Put some sort of a fence, even just decorative one, to let people know visually that it's not the common area, but your front yard. Also, video cameras would help.

annedroiid - NTA.. You’d be well within your rights to destroy and “litter” that people have been dumping on your lawn.. Would it be possible to fence off the area to make it clear it’s not public property?

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These Reddit takes are bold, but do they capture the full picture? Is the HOA’s claim just a power trip, or a genuine misunderstanding?

This story of a homeowner battling rogue signs and HOA drama leaves us reflecting on the fierce defense of personal space. The Redditor’s stand to protect their land clashed with a neighbor’s entitlement and an HOA’s murky authority, turning a yard into a battleground. As they navigate this turf war, the question looms: how do you assert your rights when neighbors overstep? Have you ever had to defend your property from community overreach? Drop your thoughts below—what would you do in this Redditor’s shoes?

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