Mountain View permits residential holiday decorations and lighting without a permit. Displays must not block sidewalks, create traffic hazards, or violate noise and nuisance standards.
Holiday decorations and seasonal lighting on private residential property are not regulated as signs under the Mountain View Municipal Code and generally require no permit. Displays can include inflatables, figures, projection lighting, and string lights. Practical limits still apply: decorations must remain on the owner's property and cannot encroach on sidewalks or the public right-of-way; lighting cannot be oriented so that it shines directly into neighbors' windows or onto roadways in a way that distracts drivers; amplified holiday music must comply with the citywide noise ordinance and be turned off between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Extension cords cannot cross sidewalks at grade. Properties drawing crowd traffic may be asked by Mountain View Police to manage parking and pedestrian safety. Displays should be removed within a reasonable time after the holiday season.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
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