- Your HOA's rules live in its governing documents (often called CC&Rs) and any architectural guidelines.
- Holiday rules usually cover dates, hours, and what can be attached to the building or common areas.
- Permanent lighting is an exterior change – expect to need approval first.
- Ask in writing before you install, and keep the reply.
Where the rules are
An HOA's rules are set out in its governing documents – usually the declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) – plus any rules or architectural guidelines the board has adopted. Your management company or board can send you the current versions. Search them for “holiday”, “decoration”, “lighting” and “exterior”.
What holiday rules usually cover
| Topic | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Dates | The earliest date decorations may go up and the date they must come down |
| Hours | Quiet hours or a time lights must be off each night |
| Attachments | Whether you can fasten anything to the roof, walls, fences or shared structures |
| Common areas | Trees, entrances and landscaping owned by the HOA are usually off-limits to residents |
| Brightness and motion | Limits on flashing, animated displays, sound or lights shining into neighbours' windows |
| Permanent fixtures | Anything left up all year usually counts as an exterior modification |
Rules differ widely between communities, and some states limit what an HOA can restrict. If a rule looks unreasonable, read your state's HOA law or ask a local attorney – this article is general information, not legal advice.
Permanent lights need approval
Permanent lighting is fixed to your fascia or soffit and stays up all year, so most HOAs treat it as an exterior change that goes through the architectural review committee. Ask your installer for a product sheet and a photo of a similar home by day – committees mainly want to know how visible the track is.
A short approval request you can copy
I would like approval to install [seasonal Christmas lights / a permanent LED lighting track] at [address]. The lights will run along [the front roofline and gable], attached with [plastic clips / a track fixed to the fascia, colour-matched to the trim]. They will be on a timer from [time] to [time], [from date to date]. A product sheet and a photo of a similar installation are attached.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
[Name, phone, email]
If you run the HOA
Many communities hire a professional for entrances, clubhouses and common-area trees. 886 installers in our directory offer commercial and HOA lighting – see commercial installers by state and our commercial holiday lighting planning guide.
Keep reading
- When to put up and take down Christmas lights
- Warm white, cool white or multicolour
- Commercial holiday lighting planning
- Permanent Christmas lights
Written by the Christmas Lights Outdoor Installation editorial team. Figures are dated and linked to their source; national numbers vary by area – confirm with local installers.
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