Tempe, AZ Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Tempe City Code does not regulate the content or placement of lawn ornaments, statuary, gnomes, flamingos, religious displays, or similar decorations on residential property. Tempe property maintenance provisions address junk, debris, and unmaintained structures but do not regulate ornamental content. Tempe's sign code exempts ornamental items that do not function as advertising signs. Where HOAs exist (The Lakes, Warner Ranch, Circle G Ranches, Lakes at Westchester), CC&Rs typically require prior architectural committee approval before placing ornaments, with limits including size (often 3 to 4 feet), placement (often rear yard only), material (no inflatables outside holiday season), and quantity. Tempe's HOA layer is lighter than Mesa, Gilbert, or Chandler - many older Tempe neighborhoods have no active HOA at all. Arizona ARS 33-1808 protects political signs (during election periods) and US flag displays from HOA prohibition. HB 2371 protects religious symbols on doorways during religious holidays. Tempe Code Compliance enforces property maintenance issues but generally not ornamental content.