Holiday Lighting & Display Rules by City (2026)
What You Can and Can't Put Up
Find the rules for your area:
Compare holiday decoration rules across cities. Find size limits, timing restrictions, and whether inflatable displays are allowed in your area.
The table below breaks down the rules across 43 states and 462 cities and counties. Every entry is based on the actual municipal code for that location, not a guess or a generic template. Click any location to see the full ordinance details, including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.
Rules by State
Each state is colored by the most common local rule. Click a state to see the cities and counties we cover there.
| State | Locations | Strict | Moderate | Permissive | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 92 | - | - | 92 | Few Restrictions |
| Texas | 59 | - | - | 59 | Few Restrictions |
| Florida | 51 | - | 1 | 50 | Few Restrictions |
| New York | 27 | - | - | 27 | Few Restrictions |
| Illinois | 17 | - | - | 17 | Few Restrictions |
| Arizona | 16 | - | - | 16 | Few Restrictions |
| Ohio | 15 | - | - | 15 | Few Restrictions |
| Washington | 13 | - | - | 13 | Few Restrictions |
| Colorado | 13 | - | - | 13 | Few Restrictions |
| New Jersey | 12 | - | - | 12 | Few Restrictions |
| Massachusetts | 11 | - | - | 11 | Few Restrictions |
| Hawaii | 11 | - | 1 | 10 | Few Restrictions |
| North Carolina | 11 | - | - | 11 | Few Restrictions |
| Georgia | 11 | - | - | 11 | Few Restrictions |
| Pennsylvania | 7 | - | - | 7 | Few Restrictions |
| Michigan | 7 | - | - | 7 | Few Restrictions |
| Nevada | 6 | - | - | 6 | Few Restrictions |
| Virginia | 6 | - | - | 6 | Few Restrictions |
| Tennessee | 6 | - | - | 6 | Few Restrictions |
| Utah | 5 | - | - | 5 | Few Restrictions |
| Mississippi | 5 | - | - | 5 | Few Restrictions |
| Maryland | 5 | - | - | 5 | Few Restrictions |
| Oklahoma | 5 | - | - | 5 | Few Restrictions |
| Missouri | 5 | - | - | 5 | Few Restrictions |
| Indiana | 5 | - | - | 5 | Few Restrictions |
| Oregon | 4 | - | - | 4 | Few Restrictions |
| Kentucky | 4 | - | - | 4 | Few Restrictions |
| Connecticut | 4 | - | - | 4 | Few Restrictions |
| Minnesota | 3 | - | - | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| Wisconsin | 3 | - | - | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| Louisiana | 3 | - | - | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| Nebraska | 3 | - | - | 3 | Few Restrictions |
| New Mexico | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Alabama | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| District of Columbia | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Iowa | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Kansas | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| New Hampshire | 2 | - | - | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Rhode Island | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| South Dakota | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| Delaware | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| Idaho | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
| Alaska | 1 | - | - | 1 | Few Restrictions |
How Cities Compare
These rankings are based on verified municipal code data, not opinion. A "strict" rating means the city has heavy restrictions, high fines, or outright bans. "Permissive" means few or no local restrictions beyond state law.
Fewest Restrictions
- 1Onondaga County, NY
No specific holiday display ordinances at county or Syracuse level. General nuisance and light trespass standards apply. HOAs in suburbs (Fayetteville Manlius, Skaneateles) may impose display restrictions.
- 2Palm Beach County, FLNot required
Holiday lights and decorations are permitted in residential areas without permit. PBC has no time restrictions on display duration but excessive light spillover or traffic-causing displays may trigger nuisance complaints.
- 3Bernalillo County, NMNot required
Bernalillo County does not regulate residential holiday decorations beyond general sign, electrical, and noise rules. Displays exempt from sign permits under IDO §5-12(G). High desert wind and NM Night Sky Act still apply to lighting.
- 4Orange County, FLNot required
Holiday decorations on private property are generally not regulated by Orange County. Temporary displays for recognized holidays exempt from sign code. Displays creating traffic hazards, blocking sight triangles, or causing nuisance noise may be addressed under general nuisance code.
- 5Rockland County, NY
Temporary seasonal holiday displays (Christmas lights, Halloween, Sukkot sukkah, Hanukkah menorah) generally exempt from sign and zoning limits in Rockland municipalities if on private property and displayed for reasonable duration.
- 6San Marcos, CA
San Marcos does not impose specific municipal restrictions on residential holiday displays. Standard electrical, fire, and nuisance codes apply. HOAs may have their own seasonal decoration policies.
- 7Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs permits holiday decorations and seasonal lighting on private property without a permit for displays of ordinary size. Displays must not create traffic hazards, noise nuisance, or violate the city's dark-sky outdoor lighting ordinance (PSMC 93.21). Seasonal lighting is typically allowed from late November through January.
- 8Franklin County, OHNot required residential
Holiday lighting and seasonal displays are broadly permitted in Franklin County with no permit required for residential properties. Most cities exempt temporary holiday displays from sign regulations. Inflatable decorations, lights, and yard figures are allowed 60 days before and 30 days after the holiday in most jurisdictions.
- 9West Valley City, UT
Holiday and seasonal decorative displays are permitted on private residential property without a permit, subject to safe installation and light trespass courtesy.
- 10Fontana, CANo for typical displays
Fontana permits holiday decorations and lighting on private property without a permit when temporary. Displays must not obstruct sidewalks, create glare, or violate noise or electrical safety rules.
All 462 Locations
Every city and county below has verified ordinance data for this topic. Click any location for the full breakdown including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions come from the most common things people ask about this topic across different cities.