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

Durham's UDO Article 11 (Sign Standards) regulates commercial signs and structures bearing a commercial message. A purely decorative lawn ornament without a commercial message is not a regulated sign and is not subject to permit or removal requirements under the UDO. Statues, garden flags, holiday figures, religious displays, decorative banners, and similar objects on private residential property are permitted without a city permit. Items placed in the public right-of-way (the strip between the sidewalk and the curb, even though often mowed by the homeowner) are prohibited under city code Chapter 46 and may be removed by Public Works. Ornaments that obstruct sight lines at driveways or intersections may be cited under safety provisions. In HOA-governed planned communities, NCGS 47F-3-121 expressly protects the display of the United States flag and the North Carolina state flag up to 4 by 6 feet in size when displayed in accordance with 4 U.S.C. 5-10. The HOA may impose other lawn ornament restrictions through its recorded declaration as enforceable contractual covenants under NCGS 47F-3-102. NCGS 47F-3-121 also limits HOA political-sign restrictions to a window of 45 days before to 7 days after an election. Front-yard signs and ornaments visible from the public right-of-way remain subject to UDO temporary sign limits if they advertise a commercial use.