Holiday Light Rules: Kent vs Seattle
How do holiday light rules rules compare between Kent, WA and Seattle, WA?
Kent and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Kent, WA
King County
Kent does not regulate the duration, hours, or brightness of residential holiday lighting on private property. Seasonal decorations are not treated as permanent signs under KCC Title 15. Practical limits come from glare and nuisance rules and from the prohibition on installing lights in the public right-of-way without a Right-of-Way Use Permit administered by Kent Public Works.
View full Kent rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance SMC 25.08 applies to any amplified outdoor displays, the Outdoor Lighting Code at SMC 23.86.013 covers light trespass, and HOAs typically set the binding rules. Most displays operate freely with no permit.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kent | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Private Property Permit | Not required | - |
| Removal Deadline | None (private property) | - |
| Public ROW Permit | Required (Public Works) | - |
| Sight-Distance | Must remain clear | - |
| Electrical Code | NEC via WAC 296-46B | - |
| HOA Rules | May apply privately | - |
| Display Dates | - | No city restriction |
| Amplified Music | - | 45 dBA night / 55 day |
| Light Trespass | - | 0.1 fc at property line |
| Noise Code | - | SMC 25.08 |
| Lighting Code | - | SMC 23.86.013 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kent FAQ
When do I have to take down my Kent Christmas lights?
There is no city deadline for residential holiday lights on private property in Kent. KCC does not include a removal date or hours-of-illumination cap for seasonal residential lighting. Lights attached to city trees, poles, or in the public right-of-way must be removed under the Right-of-Way Use Permit conditions issued by Kent Public Works.
Do I need a permit for holiday lights at my Kent home?
No, not for lights on your own property. Seasonal residential lighting is not treated as a sign under KCC Title 15, so no city permit is required. A Right-of-Way Use Permit is only needed if you install lights on city-owned trees, street-light poles, or other public right-of-way.
Seattle FAQ
When do I have to take down holiday lights in Seattle?
The city sets no removal date. Only HOA covenants (where applicable) impose deadlines. Repeated complaints about light trespass under SMC 23.86 are the most likely city enforcement trigger.
Can I play music with my outdoor holiday light show in Seattle?
Yes, but it must stay below 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA at night measured at your property line under SMC 25.08.410. Loud bass and amplified vocals draw complaints quickly.
Do I need a permit for holiday lights in Seattle?
Not for the lights themselves. You do need an electrical permit if you install a new exterior outlet, low-voltage landscape transformer wiring, or hardwired controllers under the Seattle Electrical Code.
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