Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says yes you can mount any size antenna above the roof to reliable reception.
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.
HOA's , housing covennuts , and etc. are well aware of this Law that is in effect for 16 years now and they know that they must comply.
Yes you can start with antenna in the attic.
In the attic install a Winegard HD7694P antenna aimed at about 95 degree magnetic compass direction for best reception of the Groups Tv stations and channels to the east and south east.
Here is how to aim antennas ,
http://kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
If metal backed insulation is in the attic , reception will most likely be reduced or blocked on some Tv stations channels.
If thick roof tiles are on the roof reception will most likely be reduced.
If the roof is metal , most Tv transmissions will be blocked.
If the outside walls are stucko with stucko Wire that is all the way up to the roof , reception will be reduced or blocked.
The Digital Tv stations/channels of the Green and Yellow reception zones to the east and south east of the tvfool radar reception plot and channel list should be received.
If you find that some Tv stations/channels are not received very well and you will like to receive them then move the HD7694P antenna to above the roof.
Here are some above the roof antenna mounts ,
http://www.ronard.com/909911.html ,
http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html ,
http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html ,
http://www.ronard.com.
Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.
Here are places to buy antennas and etc. ,
http://www.solidsignal.com ,
http://www.winegarddirect.com ,
http://www.amazon.com ,
http://www.channelmasterstore.com.
For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.
For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.
For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier.
The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.
DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.