Long Beach's Relaxed Approach to Holiday Decorations: What's Allowed

Every city handles holiday decorations a little differently. In Long Beach, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Inflatable Display Rules

Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. Size, lighting, and motor noise are not separately regulated, though general LBMC noise rules and front-yard setback rules in LBMC Section 21.31 still apply.

Key details: Size Limit (city): None. Front-Yard Setback: LBMC 21.31. Motor Noise: LBMC Ch. 8.80. Parkway Display: Prohibited LBMC 14.36. HOA Authority: Davis-Stirling Act.

Enforcement is complaint-driven. The most common citation is for inflator-motor noise after 10 pm under LBMC Chapter 8.80, with administrative citations starting at $100 escalating to a misdemeanor for repeat violations. Parkway encroachment under LBMC Chapter 14.36 results in removal orders.

The rules around inflatable display rules in Long Beach lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Holiday Light Rules

Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating the display window or brightness of residential holiday lights. Light trespass is enforced only under LBMC Section 21.32.270 (outdoor lighting standards) for commercial sites and HOA CC&Rs where applicable.

Key details: City Display Window: None. City Brightness Cap: None. Title 24 Application: Commercial only. HOA Authority: Davis-Stirling Act. Nuisance Backstop: LBMC 8.80.

There is no city violation for residential holiday lights. Light-trespass complaints causing direct glare into a habitable room may be cited as a nuisance under LBMC Section 8.80, but enforcement is rare. HOA fines are private under CC&Rs.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Long Beach gives residents more flexibility on holiday light rules.

Lawn Ornament Rules

Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Front-yard structures must comply with LBMC Section 21.31 setbacks. Historic districts and HOAs may impose stricter rules.

Key details: Year-Round Ornaments: Allowed citywide. Front-Yard Height: 42 in (LBMC 21.31). Historic Review: Required in HD. Historic Code: LBMC Ch. 2.63. HOA Rules: Davis-Stirling Act.

Enforcement is complaint-driven. Code Enforcement may issue Orders to Comply under LBMC Section 21.31 for fixed structures over 42 inches in setbacks. Historic district violations under LBMC Chapter 2.63 require restoration, with fines up to $1,000 per violation.

Long Beach is more permissive than most cities when it comes to lawn ornament rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Long Beach gives residents more room on holiday decorations. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Long Beach's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.