Chula Vista, CA Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

The City of Chula Vista does not have a municipal-code provision restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or yard decorations on private property. Items may remain year-round. Decorations cannot block public sidewalks or encroach into the right-of-way under CVMC Title 12, and cannot obstruct corner-visibility triangles under CVMC Title 19 sight-distance rules at street intersections. The property-maintenance provisions of CVMC Title 15 and Title 19 may be cited if decorations become so dilapidated, broken, or numerous as to create a blighted condition or public nuisance. California Civil Code §4710 prohibits HOAs from banning religious items affixed to entry doors smaller than 3 inches square (mezuzahs, small crosses), but broader yard displays are subject to HOA covenant authority under Civil Code §5975. Political signs on residential property receive First Amendment protection; Chula Vista's sign code in CVMC Chapter 19.60 allows non-commercial signs in residential zones subject only to content-neutral size limits. Master-planned community HOAs in Otay Ranch, Eastlake, Rolling Hills Ranch, and Sunbow commonly impose strict architectural review for visible yard ornaments, statuary, and seasonal displays.