Bellevue does not regulate residential lawn ornaments, statuary, flags, or non-seasonal yard decorations beyond standard setback and right-of-way rules. There is no permit, size cap, or count limit on lawn ornaments on private property. Setbacks under LUC 20.20.010, glare under LUC 20.20.522, and ROW rules in BCC Title 14 still apply.
Bellevue's Land Use Code does not include a yard-ornament ordinance. Statuary, garden gnomes, flagpoles, decorative rocks, planters, fountains, and similar items on private property are unregulated as to size, color, or quantity by the city. The only city limits come from generally applicable rules: items must sit within zoning setbacks (LUC 20.20.010); items may not encroach into the public right-of-way, including planter strips and sidewalk areas (BCC Title 14); fences, walls, and screening structures over 6 feet require permits under BCC 23 even if ornamental; flagpoles over 35 feet may require a building permit under WA Building Code; and lighting on ornaments must not cause glare onto neighbors or roadways under LUC 20.20.522. Sight-distance triangles at driveway and street corners must be kept clear under the city's Engineering Standards. HOAs commonly impose private restrictions on ornament style and count through covenants, enforceable in civil court, not by the city. Items in shoreline jurisdictions (Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish frontage) must comply with the Shoreline Master Program (LUC 20.25E).
Lawn ornaments placed in the public right-of-way are removable by Bellevue Transportation without prior notice (BCC Title 14). Glare or sight-distance violations are abatement-based under LUC 20.20.522 and the Engineering Standards. Fence or flagpole installations without required permits trigger BCC 1.18 penalties up to $500 per day plus double permit fees. HOA enforcement is a private civil action.
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