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Los Angeles County, CA Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Annual limit: 60 aggregate days per calendar year
Applies to: Unincorporated LA County only
Code section: Sec. 22.114.040(F)(2)
Default penalty: Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail

Summary

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, holiday decorations are exempt from the sign ordinance's ban on attention-getting devices like banners and balloons, but only if displayed in season for no more than 60 total days per calendar year.

City-specific rules exist: Downey, West Covina, Carson, Lancaster, Compton, Glendale, Palmdale, and Los Angeles have their own holiday displays rules that differ from Los Angeles County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Any strings of pennants, banners or streamers, clusters of flags, strings of twirlers or propellers, flares, balloons, and similar attention-getting devices...with the exception of the following: 1. National, state, local governmental, institutional, or corporate flags, properly displayed; and 2. Holiday decorations, in season, used for an aggregate period of 60 days in any one calendar year.

Source: LA County Title 22 Section 22.114.030 Sign Exemptions (Holiday Displays)View official code

Full Breakdown

Los Angeles County's sign ordinance bans strings of pennants, banners, streamers, flag clusters, twirlers, propellers, flares, balloons and similar noise-emitting attention-getting devices in every zone. County Code Section 22.114.040 carves out two exceptions: properly displayed government or institutional flags, and holiday decorations displayed in season for an aggregate of no more than 60 days per calendar year. The rule governs only the unincorporated area under Section 22.02.030 - it does not reach the City of Los Angeles or the county's 87 other incorporated cities, each of which sets its own sign standards.

Violations & Fines

Regional Planning code enforcement can order a noncompliant holiday display removed once the 60-day cap is exceeded; general County Code violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail under Section 1.24.020.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply inside the City of Los Angeles?

No. Title 22 covers only the unincorporated area (Sec. 22.02.030); the City of LA and the county's other 87 cities enforce their own separate sign codes.

Can holiday lights stay up all year?

No. The exemption only covers displays used 'in season' and caps total use at 60 aggregate days per calendar year under Sec. 22.114.040(F)(2).

Sources & Official References

[1]Los Angeles County Code of Ordinances (Municode)

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