Residents of a condominium complex in North Phoenix, Arizona were left stunned this year when their Homeowner’s Association (HOA)  banned them from putting up outdoor Christmas decorations.

A memo was sent out to residents earlier this week informing them that they are not allowed to put up any decorations on the outside of their homes this year.

“I really did feel sad to come into ours, which is usually lit up with beautiful decorations, and there was nothing, so it did kind of feel a little sad,” said condo resident Lorene Jarvis.

Lawyers for the Pinnacle HOA explained that the ban was put in place due to a “large ongoing paint/stucco repair and maintenance project.”

“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 stated.

They claimed that even a wreath on a resident’s door would interfere with the paint project, which involves painting doors.

Jarvis, however, lamented that there is a $100 fine for putting up Christmas decorations of any kind.

“And every 10 days that you keep it up, it’s another fine,” she said.

Some say that this is another evidence of a war on Christmas that’s been going on for years in this country, while others believe that this has nothing to do with the holidays and instead really is being done for a maintenance project. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments section.