Tempe has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Installation timing, brightness, and animated displays are governed by HOA CC&Rs where applicable - Tempe's HOA layer is lighter than Mesa, Gilbert, or Chandler. Tempe outdoor lighting standards in the Zoning and Development Code exempt seasonal holiday decorations. Arizona HB 2371 (2014) protects reasonable religious symbol displays on doorways during religious holidays.
Tempe City Code does not impose specific provisions regulating when residential holiday lights may be installed, removed, brightness limits, or animated displays. Tempe's outdoor lighting standards in the Zoning and Development Code govern permanent commercial and residential lighting fixtures (Tempe has dark-sky-influenced lighting standards given its proximity to Sky Harbor flight paths and observatories) but seasonal holiday decorations are exempt from those permanent-fixture rules. Tempe has a lighter HOA layer than Mesa, Gilbert, or Chandler - a significant portion of single-family Tempe is older neighborhoods without active HOAs. Where HOAs exist (The Lakes, Warner Ranch, Circle G Ranches, Lakes at Westchester), CC&Rs commonly impose: installation no earlier than Thanksgiving or November 15; removal by January 15 to 31; no commercial-grade amplification or projected light shows; lights off by 11 PM or midnight; and no laser projections onto neighboring properties. ARS Title 33 limits some HOA restrictions on religious displays. Arizona HB 2371 (codified at ARS 33-1808) prevents HOAs from prohibiting reasonable religious symbol displays on doorways during religious holidays.
No municipal enforcement against residential holiday lights. HOA covenant violations result in CC&R-specified fines, typically $25 to $250 per occurrence escalating to liens. Religious display protections under ARS 33-1808 and HB 2371 limit some HOA enforcement.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle holiday light rules.
See how Tempe's holiday light rules rules stack up against other locations.
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