Folsom, CA Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Not required
- Quiet Hours
- 10 PM-7 AM apply to music
- Sight Triangle
- Keep driveways/corners clear
- HOA Rules
- May set specific dates
- Religious Display
- Protected by Civil Code §4710
Summary
Holiday lights and seasonal displays on Folsom residential property are generally permitted without a permit. Displays must not create traffic hazards, project onto neighboring properties, or remain up excessively long. HOAs may impose additional time and appearance limits.
4710.
(a) The governing documents may not prohibit posting or displaying of noncommercial signs, posters, flags, or banners on or in a member's separate interest, except as required for the protection of public health or safety or if the posting or display would violate a local, state, or federal law.
(b) For purposes of this section, a noncommercial sign, poster, flag, or banner may be made of paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, or fabric, and may be posted or displayed from the yard, window, door, balcony, or outside wall of the separate interest, but may not be made of lights, roofing, siding, paving materials, flora, or balloons, or any other similar building, landscaping, or decorative component, or include the painting of architectural surfaces.
(c) An association may prohibit noncommercial signs and posters that are more than nine square feet in size and noncommercial flags or banners that are more than 15 square feet in size. (Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. (AB 805) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 180.)
Full Breakdown
Folsom Municipal Code treats holiday displays as customary accessory uses of residential property not requiring a permit. Lights, inflatables, yard decor, and seasonal signage are allowed within typical size and setback norms. Displays should not: project light directly into neighbors' windows (potential light-trespass nuisance under FMC §8.42), obstruct sight-triangles at driveways or intersections, exceed structure height limits, or make noise violations (e.g., continuously running music projectors during quiet hours 10 PM–7 AM). Customary display period is roughly 30 days before the holiday through 30 days after. HOA CC&Rs often impose specific put-up/take-down dates and may restrict inflatables or commercial-scale lighting. California Civil Code §4710 protects religious symbol display on entry doors in common interest developments against HOA restrictions.
Violations & Fines
Light trespass or noise: treated as nuisance under FMC §8.42 with notice and cure. No specific permit requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for Christmas lights?
When do I have to take down holiday decor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Folsom
California rules heatmap·Compare Folsom to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Holiday Displays in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle holiday displays.