Macon, GA Holiday Decorations: Holiday Light Rules (2026)

The Macon-Bibb Code of Ordinances does not regulate the duration, brightness, or schedule of residential seasonal holiday lighting at single-family or duplex homes. Single-family residents may display holiday lights without a permit or City notification, subject to: (1) Electrical compliance under the National Electrical Code as adopted by Georgia (O.C.G.A. §8-2-20) — outdoor circuits require GFCI protection and light strings must be UL-listed for outdoor use; (2) The Macon-Bibb noise ordinance in Code Chapter 15, which applies to sound-synchronized 'spectacular' displays especially during nighttime hours (commonly 11 PM to 7 AM in residential areas); (3) Macon-Bibb nuisance provisions, which can be invoked for displays that have become damaged, hazardous, or that have created a continuing blight after the holiday. The principal practical restrictions on holiday lights in Macon-Bibb come from HOA and condo covenants. Georgia's Property Owners' Association Act (O.C.G.A. §44-3-220 et seq.) and the Georgia Condominium Act (O.C.G.A. §44-3-70 et seq.) allow associations to regulate exterior decorations, including display dates and types of lighting. Macon-Bibb's historic overlay districts may require Historic and Cultural Resources Commission review only for permanent affixed fixtures — not temporary seasonal strings.