This may be more information than you needed, but it should be comprehensive enough to lay to rest the so called right of homeowner associations to restrict our ability to obtain an adequate signal via an antenna.
The following is an excerpt from a FAQ regarding roof antennas:
My Homeowner's association does not allow outdoor or roof top antennas. What are my options?
It is against federal regulations to prohibit outdoor antennas for the purpose of receiving broadcast signals. The law is on your side if you decide to put one up. If you do not want to challenge your homeowner's association, place your antennas on the back side of your house to block their view from the street. Some people have installed antennas in their attic. Use the following link for more information:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
Is the attic a good place for an antenna?
It works for some people in some locations. The structure of the house will reduce the signal strength. Physical space in the attic may prevent proper alignment of the antenna. If you live in an area where the broadcast signals are strong, the attic antenna is a viable option. If you have a metal roof or solar board don't even consider an attic antenna because the metal covering shields the signals.
This is a very interesting link. It reflects the homeowners association response to the Federal Regulations that protect our rights. The homeowners association acknowledges their inability to override Fed Regs, but puts forth some guidelines in mounting the antenna (which seem to be reasonable/common sense).
http://www.eaglewoodassn.com/antennae.pdf
And more:
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
FACT SHEET
August 1996
Placement of Direct Broadcast Satellite, Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service, and Television Broadcast Antennas
Q: Are all restrictions prohibited?
A: No, many restrictions are still valid. Safety restrictions are permitted even if they impair reception, because local governments bear primary responsibility for protecting public safety. Examples of valid safety restrictions include fire codes preventing people from installing antennas on fire escapes, restrictions requiring that a person not place an antenna within a certain distance from a power line, electrical code requirements to properly ground the antenna, and installation requirements that describe the proper method to secure an antenna. The safety reason for the restriction must be written in the text, preamble or legislative history of the restriction, or in a document that is readily available to antenna users, so that a person wanting to install an antenna knows what restrictions apply. The restriction cannot impose a more burdensome requirement than is needed to ensure safety.
Restrictions in historic areas may also be valid. Because certain areas are considered uniquely historical and strive to maintain the historical nature of their community, these areas are excepted from the rule. To qualify as an exempt area the area must be listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the area cannot restrict antennas if such a restriction would not be applied to the extent practicable in a non-discriminatory manner to other modern structures that are comparable in size, weight and appearance and to which local regulation would normally apply. Valid historical areas cannot impose a more burdensome requirement than is needed to ensure the historic preservation goal.
Q: Whose restrictions are prohibited?
A: Restrictions are prohibited in state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners
