Virginia Beach, VA Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

The City of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach sign provisions only for size — not content; signs in residential zones are generally permitted up to specified square footage under the City Zoning Ordinance sign regulations. Virginia Beach's general property maintenance and nuisance provisions in §23-1 can address damaged or deteriorated ornaments only when they have become a blight condition. Oceanfront Resort District properties may have additional design guidelines administered through the Resort Advisory Commission, particularly for properties visible from the boardwalk or major resort corridors. HOA and condo associations retain authority under Virginia's Property Owners' Association Act (Va. Code §55.1-1800 et seq.) and the Condominium Act (Va. Code §55.1-1900 et seq.) to regulate exterior decorations through their declarations. The federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 and Va. Code §55.1-1822 (Property Owners' Association Act flag display) 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.