Providence, RI Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Providence imposes no general restrictions on lawn ornaments, garden statues, religious displays, or seasonal yard decorations on private residential property. Items must remain within the property line and may not encroach on sidewalks or the public right-of-way under City Code public-way obstruction rules. Properties within Providence Historic District Commission (PHDC) districts including College Hill, Broadway, Armory, Stimson Avenue, and others must maintain front-yard treatments consistent with the historic streetscape. The PHDC may review highly visible permanent installations, but small portable ornaments and seasonal decorations typically do not trigger review. Religious symbol displays on private residential property enjoy strong First Amendment and Rhode Island state constitutional protections; however, private restrictions in condo and HOA documents may apply to common-area or limited-common-element placements. Free-standing accessory structures such as statuary that exceed the Providence Zoning Ordinance's accessory structure size thresholds become regulated structures requiring building permits from the Department of Inspection and Standards. Decorations creating safety hazards near sidewalks (sharp edges, trip hazards) may be ordered removed.