Birmingham, AL Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Birmingham does not have a city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or yard decorations on private property. Items may remain year-round. Decorations cannot block sidewalks or encroach into the public right-of-way under Code Title 10, and cannot obstruct corner-visibility triangles under the Birmingham Zoning Ordinance sight-distance rules. The nuisance and property-maintenance provisions of the Birmingham General Code may be cited if decorations become so dilapidated, broken, or numerous as to create a blighted condition affecting public health, safety, or property values. Alabama has no statewide preemption protecting religious yard displays comparable to California Civil Code §4710 — HOA covenant authority over visible yard items is generally enforceable through the Alabama Uniform Condominium Act (Code of Alabama Title 35 Ch. 8A) and standard HOA law. Political signs on residential property receive First Amendment protection; Birmingham permits non-commercial signs in residential zones under the Birmingham Zoning Ordinance subject to content-neutral size and duration limits. Properties in Birmingham's historic districts (Five Points South, Highland Park, Forest Park-South Avondale, Smithfield) face additional Design Review Committee review for permanent fixtures and visible alterations. Master-planned community HOAs in Liberty Park, Ross Bridge, Greystone-Highlands, and Trace Crossings frequently impose strict architectural review for visible yard ornaments.