Philadelphia, PA Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption threshold
- Under 60 days per calendar year
- Governing section
- Zoning Code § 14-707(2)(f)
- Also exempt
- Single- and two-family home lighting
- If exceeded
- Full shielding and permit rules apply
Summary
Philadelphia's zoning outdoor lighting standards don't apply to seasonal displays used fewer than 60 days a year, so holiday string lights and yard displays skip the shielding, cutoff-fixture, and lighting-plan rules that govern permanent exterior lighting.
The outdoor lighting standards of this section apply to all exterior site and parking lot lighting installed on private lots after the effective date of this Zoning Code except: ... (f) Seasonal outdoor lighting used less than 60 days per calendar year.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Philadelphia Zoning Code § 14-707, the citywide outdoor lighting standards (shielded, full cut-off fixtures; no glare beyond the property line; 80 lumens-per-watt efficiency; a certified lighting plan for zoning permits) apply to exterior site lighting on private lots, but subsection (2)(f) carves out "seasonal outdoor lighting used less than 60 days per calendar year," alongside separate exemptions for single- and two-family homes and events under 14 days. A typical November-to-January holiday display falls comfortably inside the 60-day window and needs no zoning permit or lighting plan for that reason alone.
Violations & Fines
Keep a seasonal display lit under 60 days and none of § 14-707's standards apply. Leave it running past that threshold and it becomes exterior lighting subject to the full section: shielded fixtures, no spillover past the property line, and (for a zoning permit application) a licensed architect or engineer's lighting plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for holiday lights in Philadelphia?
What happens if my holiday lights stay up longer than 60 days?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.