Wilmington, NC Holiday Decorations: Lawn Ornament Rules (2026)

Wilmington's Land Development Code does not regulate lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or yard art at owner-occupied single-family or duplex properties. The LDC governs commercial signage and political signs (with state-law and First Amendment protections); non-commercial decorative items are not regulated as signs. Items installed in the public right-of-way - the strip between sidewalk and street or any dedicated right-of-way - require an encroachment permit and are removed by Wilmington Public Works if installed without authorization. Items placed in drainage easements or CAMA buffers may be subject to removal at the owner's expense and additional CAMA state-level enforcement. HOA covenants in deed-restricted Wilmington subdivisions (Landfall, Porters Neck Plantation, Helms Port, Demarest Landing, Magnolia Greens, and dozens more) are by far the most common source of restriction. Typical covenants require Architectural Review Committee approval for permanent yard installations, statuary above 24-36 inches, and items visible from the street; covenants are enforceable in NC courts under NCGS 47F-3-121. Local historic districts (Historic District, Carolina Heights, Forest Hills) trigger Historic Preservation Commission review for any permanent installation visible from the public right-of-way; temporary seasonal items are generally not reviewed. NC HB 488 (2023) eased rules for certain accessory structures but does not regulate ornaments. First Amendment protections apply to religious and political expression; the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in City of Ladue v. Gilleo (1994) prohibits municipalities from broadly banning yard signs in residential areas.