Topeka, KS Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

The City of Topeka does not regulate decorative lawn ornaments through a residential ordinance. Chapter 18 (Zoning) addresses primary and accessory uses but does not restrict garden decor, statuary, seasonal yard ornaments, or similar decorative items on private residential property. Applicable general rules: (1) Public right-of-way: under the Topeka Code's streets/right-of-way provisions, nothing may be placed in the public sidewalk, planting strip, or street that obstructs pedestrian or vehicular passage, snow plowing operations, or utility access — items placed too close to the curb risk damage from Public Works street maintenance and may be removed by the City. (2) Vision-clearance triangle: Chapter 18 zoning requires unobstructed visibility at corner intersections — typically nothing over 3 ft in height within a triangular area measured back from the curb intersection; applies to fences, hedges, and tall ornaments alike. (3) Nuisance: Topeka's Property Maintenance Code and general nuisance provisions address property-maintenance complaints — extreme cases such as deteriorating, unsafe, or abandoned 'junk' yard decor accumulating into a property-maintenance issue can trigger Code Enforcement action, but ordinary decorative ornaments are not subject to enforcement. (4) HOA covenants: most Topeka planned subdivisions in west and southwest Topeka include CC&Rs governing yard decoration — common restrictions limit the number, size, or seasonal duration of lawn ornaments and may require ARC (Architectural Review Committee) approval for permanent installations; enforced privately under KSA 58-3801 et seq. (5) First Amendment: religious and political yard signs receive constitutional protection that overrides most municipal sign restrictions subject to reasonable time/place/manner limits. (6) Historic preservation: properties within designated Topeka historic districts (Potwin Place, Holliday Park, etc.) may face additional design-review considerations for permanent installations through the Topeka Landmarks Commission.