Richmond, VA Holiday Decorations: Holiday Light Rules (2026)

Richmond 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 the Virginia USBC, and light strings must be UL-listed for outdoor use; (2) Noise compliance — sound-synchronized 'spectacular' displays must respect Richmond City Code noise provisions in Chapter 38, with nighttime quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM in residential zones; amplified music synchronized to lights can draw noise citations after the cutoff; (3) Property maintenance — damaged or hazardous displays can be cited under Richmond's nuisance provisions if they create blight or safety hazards. Old and Historic Districts: Church Hill, Jackson Ward, Monument Avenue, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Manchester, and parts of the Fan are governed by the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR). Temporary seasonal decorations are typically exempt from CAR review; permanent fixtures (clip-mounted permanent track lighting, permanently installed under-eave lighting) may require Certificate of Appropriateness. The traditional Tacky Light Tour through neighborhoods like Walton Park, Brandermill, and the West End is a beloved Richmond holiday tradition that operates entirely on private residential creativity. HOA and condo covenants under Va. Code §55.1-1800 (Property Owners' Association Act) and §55.1-1900 (Condominium Act) commonly restrict dates, types, and brightness in covenanted subdivisions.