Miami's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Political signs are protected as free speech. Condo and HOA architectural review committees retain authority under FL §718 and §720, and all loose ornaments must be secured ahead of any Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch.
The City of Miami does not regulate the number, size, or style of decorative lawn ornaments, statuary, fountains, or religious yard displays at single-family or duplex properties through municipal ordinance. Political signs are protected as First Amendment speech and are governed by Miami 21 sign provisions only for size — not content. Code Compliance can address damaged or deteriorated ornaments under Chapter 38 (Public Nuisances) only if they have become a blight condition. HOAs and condo associations retain wide authority over exterior modifications and decorative items under FL §718.113 (condos) and §720.304 (HOAs); a 'standard' decorative requirement is enforceable through the association's Architectural Review Committee with fines capped at $100/day under FL §720.305 for HOAs. The federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 (4 USC §5 note) preempts HOA bans on reasonable flag displays. Florida law (FL §720.3045) preempts HOA rules that ban displays of the U.S. flag, state flag, or POW/MIA flag. Practically, every loose outdoor ornament must be brought in or secured ahead of any Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch — flying ornaments are a major source of post-storm property damage and Miami-Dade County issues pre-storm advisories.
City: rare. Damaged ornaments may draw a blight citation. HOA: fines per documents, capped at $100/day under FL §720.305. Hurricane: civil liability for damage caused by unsecured ornaments.
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