Seasonal holiday lights and decorative displays are generally permitted on private property in Clearwater without a sign permit, provided they avoid sight-distance hazards and right-of-way placement.
Holiday lights, lawn ornaments, and seasonal yard displays are not classified as regulated signs under Article 3, Division 18 of Clearwater's Community Development Code so long as they do not contain commercial advertising or pictorial messages tied to a business. Residents may decorate roofs, lawns, and driveways within their property line. Displays cannot encroach into the public right-of-way, block visibility at driveway and intersection sight triangles, or interfere with utility access. Lighting must comply with the city's general nuisance and lighting standards, and electrical components must meet the Florida Building Code. Inflatable or moving displays larger than ordinary residential decorations may be subject to size or duration limits if they shift into temporary sign territory.
Displays that block sight lines or encroach into the right-of-way can be cited as a nuisance, with the city ordering removal and assessing fines for non-compliance.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle holiday displays.
See how Clearwater's holiday displays rules stack up against other locations.
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