Do you live in a community with an HOA (Home Owner's Association) that prohibits the flying of flags and you want to fly a flag on holidays? Is there a way around such a regulation?  Possibly...

Some HOA's are flexible when comes to flying the US flag (particularly on holidays) as laws regarding our right to display the United States flag is protected by federal law. An HOA may not want to go to war with you over a case where they have little legal standing.

A work around for those of you who want to fly your flag on certain occasions only and intend to remove it at the end of the day will find a possible solution in the MagFlag--the Magnetic Flag Bracket.

The MagFlag is a magnetic flag bracket that attaches to a metal mailbox or other metal object where attaching a flag may be suitable. Since the MagFlag was designed for instant attachment and removal, it is ideal for flag flying on holidays and other occasions where a flag is intended to be removed on the same day or other short period.

The MagFlag has been sold to residents of HOA governed communities who want to fly a flag on holidays but their HOA prevents "permanent" flag displays on their on property.  Some communities grant permission for temporary flag displays (such as holidays) and and the MagFlag is ideal for that purpose. Place your flag on display at sunrise and remove it at sunset--in just a matter of seconds.  It can be easily done using the MagFlag.

Is it lawful to fly a flag with expletives or messages that are considered profane or vulgar by some people? Yes, it is. Since displaying a flag is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution, a homeowner has the right to fly a flag that uses profanity despite its unpopularity with people in the community. It goes back to 1971 and a case called California v. Cohen which established that the government cannot criminalize the display of profane words in public places. In that case, the US Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision said profanity is free speech and displaying it is lawful. It’s been that way since 1971, and that decision by the Supreme Court has not been overturned.

Whether or not the 'free speech' argument goes without a challenge in every state and/or municipality in the country is another matter. Since the 2020 Presidential election, political flags with expletive laden messages have been seen flying in many areas of the country. Connecticut, Michigan and Pennsylvania are just a few of the states where 'profane' flags have caused complaints by residents angry that their neighbors are flying such flags. While some municipalities try to regulate what they consider to be “acceptable speech,” they have little legal ground to stop it.

There has been much legal debate over what qualifies as 'obscene' material, but courts have repeatedly ruled that profanity generally falls under the umbrella of free speech, so long as it is not threatening or obscene. "Dirty word" flags are offensive to some, but not illegal. That seems to be the bottom line on 'profane' flags.

Fly your flag the easy way with the MagFlag.

Note: Information in this article is intended for information purposes only; we make no claim as to the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information. It is not offered for the purpose of providing individualized legal advice.

The American flag can be flown 365 days a year, weather permitting, but of course that is not practical or even advisable. Generally speaking, any day with fair weather from sunrise to sunset is an OK time to fly your flag.

Before we list our suggested days for flying your flag, below is a list for when NOT to fly a flag:

• Do not fly the flag in bad weather.

• Do not fly the flag at night (unless it is being displayed by lighting).

• Do not fly a flag when it is damaged.

• Do not fly any flags larger than the American flag.

• Do not fly any flag higher than the American flag.

Here is our suggested list of days when to fly your flag (our list is not totally inclusive and we may have missed a day or two):

• January 1  New Year's Day

• January 18  Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• January 20  Inauguration Day

• February 12  Lincoln's Birthday

• February 15  President's Day

• February 15  Washington's Birthday

• March 17 St.  Patrick's Day

• March 29  National Vietnam War Veterans Day

• April 4  Easter Sunday

• April 22  Earth Day

• May 4  International Firefighters Day

• May 9  Mother's Day

• May 15  Peace Officer's Memorial Day

• May 15  Armed Forces Day

• May 31  Memorial Day

• June 6  Remember D-Day

• June 14  Flag Day

• June 19  Juneteenth Independence Day

• June 20  Father's Day

• July 4  Independence Day

• July 27  National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

• September 6  Labor Day

• September 11  Patriot Day

• September 17  Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

• September 17  National POW/MIA Recognition Day

• October 3  National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

• October 11  Columbus Day

• October 13  Navy Birthday

• November 2  Election Day

• November 11  Veterans Day

• November 25  Thanksgiving Day

• December 7  Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

• December 25  Christmas Day

• Your State's Birthday

• State Holidays

• Any day proclaimed by the President

When you want to fly a flag, do it the easy way--use the MagFlag flag bracket.

How long should a flag last?

Our flags do not come with any kind of “life expectancy” warranty due to weather conditions that are different throughout the country and the nature of constantly changing weather. MagFlag flags are estimated to last approximately 180 days if they are flown from sunrise to sunset in clear weather conditions. Flags flown 24 hours a day will typically last one third as long. The large the flag, the shorter the life expectancy.

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Extreme Weather Conditions:

Strong winds, rain, snow and ice can cause damage to flags made of most fabrics. Even 'all-weather' flags will wear faster in these conditions. It's best to take flags down in bad weather.  Flags that are flown in high sun areas are prone to fading and premature wear due to UV exposure and will need to be replaced more frequently.

Flag Inspection:

It's important to check your flag regularly for damage. Larger flags (10ft x 15ft and up) should be checked for wear at least twice a month. Many people will buy two flags and rotate them frequently. That way one flag can be inspected, repaired and cleaned while the other is being displayed.

Tips for Caring for Your Flag:

• Do not store a damp or wet flag. It can get moldy. Allow it to dry and store it in a dry room or in a moisture-proof container.

• If your flag is dirty, you can hand wash it in cold water with mild detergent. Allow it to air dry. Washing your flag regularly will increase its lifespan.

• You can do minor repairs to your flag if they are not noticeable and the flag still looks presentable. Flags in bad condition should be retired and replaced.

• Position your MagFlag in a clear area where your flag won't whip against rough surfaces, branches or anything it can snag on.

• Keep your MagFlag bracket clean and in good repair. While it is essentially maintenance free, wiping it off occasionally could prolong its life.

​Fly your flag the easy way with the MagFlag.

Flying a flag shows that you feel proud of your country or can be used to promote a cause or group that you believe in. Many people fly a flag everyday, but most people typically fly it on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, and Flag Day. If you are using a flag to promote a specific cause, a flag can be flown year round.

People generally fly a flag to show a sense of pride and patriotism. Flying a flag is not a difficult task if you have the right equipment to mount and display your flag, otherwise it can be real hassle.

Important Things to Consider

The flag must be able to move and fly freely. Do not let your flag touch the ground. Always fly a flag that is in good condition. Newer flags are usually made with synthetic materials and typically hold up longer than cloth flags. If they become soiled, they can easily be washed in cold water with some mild detergent and then hung it to dry. Do not mount your flag backward. While flying the flag vertically, fly it in such a way that the “union” portion with the stars should go on the observer’s left side. While displaying it on a window, make sure the union or blue field comes to the left of the observer in the street.

Flying a flag is not always as easy thing to do. Typically, you have only two choices—mounting a flag pole or attaching a flag bracket to your house.

Metal flag bracket installation

Attaching a flag bracket to your house requires drilling holes into your house and attaching a flag pole bracket using metal screws. Many homes are made of brick, stone and other materials which are difficult to drill into. Unless you are skillful at this type of work, you could damage your home leaving an ugly mess that could be costly to repair.

Mounting a flag pole

The second method for flying a flag is the installation of a flag pole. This is a very laborious project requiring that you have multiple skills and the sourcing of a variety of materials. In addition to the installation issues, a durable, high quality flag pole can be quite costly.

If you choose to install a flag pole, here's an idea of what's involved...

Materials required include:

• cement mix

• gravel

• sand

• shims

• a mixing tub for concrete

• a plumb line

• liquid soap and a rubber mallet for joining flag poles sections together.

• and of course—the flag pole.

Step 1: First, select the location for your flag pole. Make sure it’s safe to dig there. Be sure to check with the proper authorities to see if digging in your selected location is permitted.

Step 2: Next, dig a hole for your flagpole. Make sure the hole is deep enough to allow for a secure foundation.

Step 3: Now you need to have a strong foundation which requires that you mix cement and set the flag pole into the mixture securely.

Step 4: After this set up your flagpole for standing and carefully raise and secure your flagpole vertically (this is one of the most difficult steps).

Step 5: After the cement has hardened and your flag pole post is secure, mount the required brackets to your flag pole and raise your flag.

Either of these two installation methods require a lot of time and effort.

A much better way...

Now there is a much easier way to fly a flag... a magnetic flag pole holder bracket--the MagFlag. All you need to do is to attach the MagFlag magnet flag pole bracket to your mailbox and place the flag pole in the hole. You do not need to do any drilling or dig a hole for mounting a flag pole. You can easily attach the MagFlag to anything that has a magnetic attraction as it attaches and removes in seconds. One can easily insert any flag into the MagFlag that has a 5/16" diameter staff.

Fly your flag the easy way with the MagFlag.