Portland does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential holiday lighting. General electrical safety and nuisance standards apply. Historic Conservation and Landmark Districts may review permanent lighting installations on historic facades. HOAs and condo associations frequently impose seasonal display rules through bylaws and CC&Rs.
Portland City Code contains no specific ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. Residents may install seasonal lighting on private property within general electrical and nuisance standards. The Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (ORS 479) requires outdoor-rated fixtures, weatherproof connections, and GFCI protection on outdoor outlets; permanent exterior wiring requires a licensed electrician and electrical permit through Portland BDS. Historic Conservation and Landmark Districts (Alphabet Historic, Irvington, Ladd's Addition, Skidmore/Old Town, Yamhill, etc.) review permanent property modifications under design standards; temporary seasonal lights generally do not require Historic Resource Review. Excessive brightness or flashing displays that create a nuisance to neighbors may trigger Portland Bureau of Development Services enforcement under property maintenance standards (Title 29). HOA and condo association bylaws frequently set display start and end dates. Oregon's Dark Sky-friendly design recommendations are voluntary for residential lighting.
There are no specific Portland fines for holiday lights themselves. Permanent unpermitted exterior wiring violates Oregon Electrical Specialty Code with BDS enforcement. Lights blocking sidewalks or creating electrical hazards may be cited. HOA violations follow association bylaws.
Portland, OR
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Portland require Bureau of Development Services permits when they include gas, plumbing, electrical, or structural work. Built-...
Portland, OR
Residential outdoor smokers (offset, pellet, kamado, vertical) are legal in Portland under the cooking-fire exemption to PCC 31.16, but persistent smoke that...
Portland, OR
Portland adopts the Oregon Fire Code (2022 edition based on IFC 2021) through PCC 31.16. Under IFC §308.1.4, propane (LPG) and charcoal grills are prohibited...
Portland, OR
Portland ADUs can be rented for long-term residential use without owner-occupancy under Oregon HB 2001. Short-Term Rentals (under 30 days) are regulated by P...
Portland, OR
Portland removed the owner-occupancy requirement for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in 2017. Under current PCC 33.205, neither the primary home nor the ADU ...
Portland, OR
Portland's System Development Charge (SDC) waiver for ADUs ended December 31, 2023. As of 2024, ADUs pay SDCs based on size but typically at reduced rates co...
See how Portland's holiday light rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.