Carlsbad, CA Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Carlsbad Municipal Code does not regulate lawn ornaments, garden statues, fountains, flagpoles under 25 feet, or other yard art on private residential property. CMC 21.46 (Yards) limits the height of structures, walls, and fences but does not address decorative ornaments. CMC 21.46.020 (signs) exempts non-commercial decorative items from sign-permit requirements. Most Carlsbad housing is in HOA-governed master-planned communities (La Costa, Bressi Ranch, Calavera Hills, Aviara, Carlsbad Aviara, Robertson Ranch, etc.) where the CC&Rs and architectural guidelines limit lawn ornaments. Typical HOA rules cap ornament height (often 3-4 feet), require muted colors blending with landscape, prohibit religious statues facing the street, require board pre-approval for fountains and large statues, and limit the total number of ornaments per yard. Davis-Stirling Civil Code 4710 protects 'noncommercial signs, posters, flags, or banners' - notably PROTECTED are non-commercial flags and political signs, but lawn ornaments are not in the protected category. Civil Code 4715 separately protects religious displays on entry doors and door frames (mezuzahs, crosses, etc.). Ornaments must not encroach into setbacks if they're structures (over 6 ft tall) and must not block driveway sight lines under CMC 21.46.130 (42-inch vision triangle).