Holiday decorations on residential property in San Joaquin County are treated permissively by the county and its cities — no permits required, and seasonal displays are generally exempt from the standard sign code. Displays must not obstruct sidewalks or sight lines at intersections, inflatables must be secured against Delta winds, and electrical installations must meet the CA Electrical Code (Title 24 Part 3). HOAs in Mountain House, Weston Ranch, Brookside, and Spanos Park may impose additional timing and style rules.
Neither San Joaquin County Development Title §9-1040 nor the Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, or Tracy sign codes require a permit for typical residential holiday decorations. Displays are treated as temporary non-commercial expression and are generally exempt from size and duration limits that apply to commercial signs. Standard guidance: installation no earlier than 45 days before the holiday and removal within 30 days after. Decorations must not obstruct public sidewalks, driveways, or the 25-foot sight triangle at intersections required by Development Title §9-1010. Outdoor electrical use must comply with the California Electrical Code (Title 24 Part 3 / NEC 2022) including GFCI protection for exterior receptacles and outdoor-rated extension cords. Inflatables must be anchored — Delta breezes and tule fog conditions commonly carry improperly secured displays into neighbors' yards or roadways. Noise-producing decorations (animatronics with sound) are subject to the county's residential nighttime noise limit (50 dBA after 10 PM). Mountain House, Spanos Park, Weston Ranch, and Brookside HOAs typically publish their own holiday décor guidelines that restrict installation windows, colors, and rooftop displays; these are enforced as CC&R matters, not county code.
No county permit violations for typical residential displays. Sight-line obstruction at an intersection: removal order, $100 fine for safety hazard. Unsafe electrical installation: immediate correction required by Building Inspection. Noise after 10 PM: infraction $100 to $500 under county noise code. HOA fines for décor violations: $25 to $200 per occurrence under CC&Rs.
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