Boise, ID Holiday Decorations: Holiday Light Rules (2026)

Boise does not regulate the duration, brightness, color, or schedule of residential seasonal holiday lighting through municipal ordinance at single-family homes. Homeowners can display holiday lights without permit or notification, subject to a few practical rules: (1) Electrical compliance — outdoor circuits must be GFCI-protected under the NEC as adopted by Idaho, and light strings must be UL-listed for outdoor use; (2) Noise compliance — sound-synchronized 'spectacular' displays must respect Boise City Code Title 5 Chapter 8 (Noise Control), which sets nighttime quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM with a plainly-audible-at-50-feet standard; amplified music synchronized to lights can draw noise citations after the cutoff; (3) Property maintenance — damaged or hazardous displays can be cited under Boise nuisance provisions. Historic districts: North End, East End, Warm Springs, and Hyde Park are governed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Temporary seasonal decorations are typically exempt from HPC review; permanent fixtures (clip-mounted permanent track lighting, permanently installed under-eave lighting) may require Certificate of Appropriateness. HOA covenants under Idaho Code Title 55 (Real Property) commonly restrict dates, types, and brightness; Harris Ranch, Hidden Springs, Surprise Valley, and Foothills master-planned communities have detailed declaration-based rules. Some neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Warm Springs) have informal local traditions for elaborate displays without formal regulation.