Cupertino, CA Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt window
- October 15 through January 15
- Outside window
- Full lighting chapter standards apply
- Also exempt
- Signs, construction/emergency, special events
- Distinct from
- Year-round string lighting wattage caps
Summary
Cupertino exempts holiday and seasonal lighting from its outdoor lighting shielding, curfew and intensity rules, but only between October 15 and January 15 each year. Outside that window the same display must meet the full standards of Municipal Code Section 19.102.040.
Exemptions: The following types of lighting are exempt from the lighting requirements of the Chapter: Lighting within the public right-of-way and public parks Permitted lighting for signs pursuant to Chapter 19.104 of the Municipal Code Temporary construction or emergency lighting Short-term lighting authorized by a special events permit Holiday seasonal lighting during the period of October 15 through January 15 of each year
Full Breakdown
040 lists the categories of lighting exempt from its shielding, illumination-level and curfew requirements, and holiday seasonal lighting is one of them, but the exemption runs only for the period of October 15 through January 15 of each year. 104, temporary construction or emergency lighting, and short-term lighting authorized by a special events permit. , limited to 50 percent of the rear yard or 500 square feet) do not automatically apply to a holiday display during the exempt window. 1 foot-candle trespass limit, and curfew standards like any other outdoor lighting.
Violations & Fines
A holiday display that runs outside the October 15 to January 15 window and fails to meet Section 19.102.040's general shielding and curfew standards is a Title 19 violation under Section 19.04.070, treated as a misdemeanor under Chapter 1.12.010: up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense under Section 1.12.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put up holiday lights in Cupertino without meeting the lighting code?
What happens if I leave holiday lights up past January 15?
Do holiday lights follow the same wattage limits as string lighting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
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Holiday Displays in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle holiday displays.