Norfolk, VA Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

The City of Norfolk 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 under the Reed v. Town of Gilbert content-neutrality framework and are governed by Norfolk sign provisions only for size — not content; signs in residential zones are generally permitted up to specified square footage. Norfolk's general property maintenance and nuisance provisions can address damaged or deteriorated ornaments only when they have become a blight condition. Historic districts (Ghent, West Freemason, Colonial Place, Brambleton, Park Place) are governed by the Architectural Review Board. Temporary seasonal ornaments are typically exempt; permanent visible installations (statuary, masonry fountains, large-scale permanent decorative features) may require a Certificate of Appropriateness. HOA and condo associations retain authority under Va. Code §55.1-1800 (Property Owners' Association Act) and §55.1-1900 (Condominium Act) to regulate exterior decorations through their declarations. The federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 and Va. Code §55.1-1822 prevent HOAs from banning reasonable U.S. flag displays; Va. Code §55.1-1822.1 also protects display of the POW/MIA flag, Virginia state flag, and military service flags from HOA prohibition — particularly relevant given Norfolk's large active-duty and veteran population.