Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Hackensack

Hackensack, NJ Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Window
10 days before to 3 days after holiday
Permit
Exempt from sign permit and fee
Applies to
Residential premises only
Covers
Signs and assemblages of materials
Size cap
None specified for holiday displays
Late removal
Becomes a regulated temporary sign

Summary

Hackensack's sign code exempts "customary holiday decorations" on residential property from any sign permit or fee, but only for a fixed window: up to 10 days before the holiday and no more than three days after. The code's broader "special displays" definition covers assemblages of materials, not just signage, on residential lawns.

SPECIAL DISPLAYS Signs or an assemblage of materials used for holidays or promotion of civil welfare or charitable purposes. ... Customary holiday decorations displayed on residential premises for a not more than 10 days before nor three days after the applicable holiday.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4592721; v20 updated 2026-01-06; through 01-06-2026).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 175's Signage article defines SPECIAL DISPLAYS as "signs or an assemblage of materials used for holidays or promotion of civil welfare or charitable purposes," language broad enough to reach a lit lawn display, an inflatable ornament, or a themed assemblage, not only a placard. 4B(3)(b), which runs $25. The exemption is time-limited, not size-limited: the code sets no separate square-footage or height cap for holiday decorations the way it does for real-estate signs or nameplates, addressing only how long the display may stay up.

Once the 10-day-before/3-day-after window closes, the exemption ends and the display is treated like any other unpermitted temporary sign under the general permit and fee rules. Lit or structural elements of a holiday display still have to meet the chapter's general illumination and maintenance standards, since only the permit and fee are waived, not the underlying safety standards.

Violations & Fines

A holiday display left up beyond the 13-day window (10 days before through 3 days after the holiday) loses its exemption and is treated as an unpermitted temporary sign requiring the standard permit and $25 fee under § 175-13.4B(3)(b). The Zoning Officer can order its removal under § 175-13.4F, and unpermitted signs are subject to Chapter 1, § 1-15 penalties enforced in Municipal Court, with each day a separate offense under § 175-13.4G(1).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I keep holiday decorations up on my lawn in Hackensack?
Section 175-13.4B(4)(g) exempts "customary holiday decorations displayed on residential premises" from permitting for "not more than 10 days before nor three days after the applicable holiday," so decorations must come down within three days after the holiday ends.
Do I need a permit for a lawn display at Christmas or Halloween?
No, as long as it fits the 13-day window and stays on residential property. Section 175-13.4B(4)(g) exempts customary holiday decorations from both the permit and the fee that other temporary signs pay under § 175-13.4B(3)(b).
Is there a size limit on holiday lawn displays?
The code sets no separate square-footage or height cap for the holiday-decoration exemption; it regulates only timing. Other general sign-area, illumination and safety standards in § 175-13.4 still apply to any lit or structural elements.
What if I leave my display up too long?
Once the window closes, the display loses its exemption and is treated as an unpermitted temporary sign, subject to removal by the Zoning Officer under § 175-13.4F and penalties under § 175-13.4G(1).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hackensack

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Hackensack rules

Compare Hackensack to another location·View the New Jersey holiday decorations overview

Get notified when Lawn Ornament Rules in Hackensack, NJ changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.