Holiday decorations freely allowed on private property across Bristol County. No permits required. Must not block sidewalks or sight triangles, must use outdoor-rated electrical equipment, and must respect noise ordinances for animated/musical displays.
Bristol County municipalities (Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Attleboro, Dartmouth) treat residential holiday decorations as protected expression and impose no permit requirements. Practical limits include: no obstruction of sidewalks, driveways, or sight-distance triangles at corners; outdoor-rated lighting and GFCI-protected circuits per 527 CMR and Mass Electrical Code; secure anchoring of inflatables. Musical or animated displays are subject to municipal noise ordinances — typically quiet after 10 PM. No ordinance mandates takedown dates, though code enforcement may act on blight complaints if decorations remain up well past the season. HOAs and condominium associations may impose stricter rules under their governing documents.
Sidewalk obstruction: notice to move. Electrical hazard flagged by wiring inspector: immediate correction or removal. Excessive noise from animated displays: noise ordinance citation, typically $50 to $100.
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See how Bristol County's holiday displays rules stack up against other locations.
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