Dallas Chapter 51A-4.6 exempts temporary holiday and seasonal decorative lighting from outdoor-lighting cutoff and trespass rules when displayed roughly November through January, provided it is removed promptly and does not create a documented nuisance to neighbors.
Temporary holiday lighting is treated as a decorative seasonal exemption under Dallas Chapter 51A-4.6 and is not subject to the full-cutoff fixture, pole-height, or 0.2 foot-candle trespass limits that apply to permanent security and area lighting. The customary window runs from mid-November through mid-January for winter holidays, with shorter windows for other observances. Strings of incandescent or LED lights, animated displays, projection lights, and inflatable lit decorations are all permitted on residential and commercial property. Lights must be removed within a reasonable period after the holiday, generally 30 days. Persistent year-round display, excessive brightness, projection onto neighbors' homes, or amplified sound accompanying lights can still be cited as a nuisance under Chapter 18 or 51A-4.6 light-trespass provisions.
Year-round display or documented light-trespass nuisance from holiday lights can draw a Class C misdemeanor citation under Chapter 51A-4.6 or 18 with fines up to $500 per day. Code Compliance typically issues a courtesy warning before formal citation.
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