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A Florida homeowner’s battle with his HOA over a small front-yard cross has ended with a $70,000 settlement.

Wayne and Bonnie Anderson, residents of The Villages, were cited back in 2019 for displaying a 12-inch white cross in their yard. According to the Village Community Development District 8 (CDD 8), the cross violated rules prohibiting certain types of lawn ornaments. According to the Andersons, it was a simple expression of faith. 

That disagreement turned into a strange legal saga which dragged on for 5 years.

From $25 Daily Fines to Tens of Thousands in Penalties

After an anonymous complaint, the district ordered the Andersons to remove the cross. When they refused, CDD 8 began issuing $25 daily fines, which eventually reached about $44,000, according to Anderson.

Then came the lawsuit.

CDD 8 filed legal action to force the removal of the cross, arguing the district was simply enforcing its rules. Anderson said the cross wasn’t harming anyone and believed the enforcement targeted him unfairly. “It’s yard art to them… but it’s a religious icon to us,” he said.

A Massive Settlement 

After years of hearings, court filings, and back-and-forth, a judge ordered both sides to settle out of court. The final agreement requires the district to pay $173,000 in legal fees and $70,000 directly to the Andersons. The cross gets to stay permanently in the yard.

In total, the resolution is valued at nearly $250,000. Anderson says most of his share will go toward paying off legal costs, but the principle mattered. “In the end, we get to display it, as is our constitutional and God-given right,” he said. 

Selective Enforcement

While the Andersons were fined for their cross, FOX 35 Orlando identified at least a dozen nearby homes displaying identical crosses — and none reported receiving enforcement letters. Many declined to speak on camera, citing fear of retaliation from the district. Anderson calls it “selective enforcement,” and he has since joined the CDD 8 board to prevent similar conflicts in the future.

The Takeaway 

It’s not a roofing case, but the Andersons’ legal fight does reflect a simple reality for the industry. Lots of homeowners live in HOAs. In fact, it's 30 percent of the population – 75 million Americans.

Every community has its own rules, which can be oddly specific and unevenly enforced. Renovations are a natural tension point, which makes it all the more important to find a contractor who can follow the community standards. And for roofers who serve areas with HOAs, it's an opportunity to set yourself apart by educating yourself and your customers.