Cary, NC Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Cary's Land Development Ordinance does not regulate lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or yard art at owner-occupied single-family or duplex properties. The LDO sign provisions govern commercial signage and political signs (subject to NC law and First Amendment limits); non-commercial decorative items are not regulated as signs. Items installed in the public right-of-way - the strip between sidewalk and street or any dedicated right-of-way - require an encroachment authorization and are subject to removal by Cary Public Works if installed without permission. Items placed in drainage easements may be subject to removal at the owner's expense. HOA covenants in Cary's deed-restricted subdivisions (Preston, MacGregor Downs, Lochmere, Amberly, Carpenter Village, Cary Park, Highcroft, and many more) are by far the most common source of restriction. Typical covenants require Architectural Review Committee approval for permanent yard installations, statuary above 24-36 inches, and items visible from the street; some prohibit decorative ornaments entirely. NC General Statute 47F-3-121 (the NC Planned Community Act flag-display provision) protects display of the US flag, NC state flag, and certain military flags against HOA restriction but does not protect generic lawn ornaments. First Amendment protections apply to religious and political expression; the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in City of Ladue v. Gilleo (1994) prohibits municipalities from broadly banning yard signs in residential areas.