Salt Lake City, UT Holiday Decorations: Holiday Light Rules (2026)

Salt Lake City has no ordinance that sets a 'lights up by' or 'lights down by' date for residential holiday lighting. The city's sign code (SLC Code Chapter 21A.46) regulates commercial signage but generally does not extend to seasonal residential decorations placed for the holidays. The two ordinances that practically apply to holiday lights are: (1) SLC Code 9.04.110 (lighting requirements) and the city's exterior lighting standards, which address light trespass onto neighboring properties — extremely bright or directly intrusive lighting that disturbs a neighbor's reasonable use of their property can be addressed as a nuisance even if seasonally motivated; and (2) SLC Code Chapter 9.28 (Noise Control), which applies if light displays incorporate music or animatronic sound elements that exceed permitted decibel levels at the property line (Section 9.28.060). HOAs and condominium associations may impose their own seasonal display restrictions enforceable through CC&R covenants. Renters should consult their lease for landlord-imposed limits. Inflatable decorations attached to roofs or balconies may also implicate building/wind-load common-sense limits but are not separately permitted. Practical guidance: most Salt Lake City residents display from Thanksgiving through mid-January without issue; year-round displays can become a nuisance complaint trigger.