Understanding your HOA holiday decoration policy

The animated Christmas, Fourth of July, and Halloween decorations are just a few examples that prove people love decorating for every occasion. Many people derive a sense of community and comfort from seeing holiday decorations. Yet, if you live in a homeowner's association (HOA), you may notice some restrictions regarding resident adornments. In this piece, we will explain what an HOA holiday decoration policy entails, provide examples, discuss the role of board members in communicating, and more.
 

What is an HOA holiday decoration policy?

Like many other policies within an association, an HOA decoration policy is a set of guidelines to help maintain the community's curb appeal. These can often be found within the community's bylaws, rules and regulations and Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Whether you are decorating for the holiday season or just looking to embellish your property, the policies give structure and guidance for residents to know the limitations and approved sets of decorations your community can have before purchasing and decorating.

Every association is different, but for the most part, almost every HOA has some exterior decoration policy. Since these rules are often in place to provide uniformity and maintain the area clean and aesthetically in line with the community's values, as a board member, you will be responsible for enforcing them. If your community has chosen to establish standards like these, relying on a property management team can help to implement the rules fairly and evenly.
 

What do HOA holiday decoration rules include?

Most HOA decoration rules include restrictions within the following:

• Noise: Rules may limit the use of decorations that produce sound. This can include music-playing lights or inflatable decorations to lower disturbances to other neighbors during quiet hours.
   
• Size: Some HOAs regulate the dimensions of decorations, restricting oversized inflatables, large displays, or items that could obstruct common areas or pose safety hazards.
   
• Timing: HOAs often specify when holiday decorations can be put up and must be taken down and for how long they can be on (lights, inflatables, etc.).
   
• Color: Restrictions on color schemes may exist to maintain a uniform appearance, particularly in communities with the community's aesthetic considerations.
   
• Etiquette: It is key that all communities have appropriate décor, as HOAs typically prohibit offensive or inappropriate themes.
   
• Location: Restrictions can also be on where decorations can be placed, for instance, limiting displays to personal property and not allowing decorations on common areas, rooftops, or fences.

However, these can differ in each community. For example, featured in a Connect CRE article, Ashlee Friedmann, managing director of FirstService Residential's multifamily rental division, sees safety as a key component of these guidelines. She mentions, "In buildings where residents can place holiday lights on balconies, we encourage them to secure those lights—this avoids hazards in windy conditions and helps provide a safe and joyous holiday environment for everyone."

"Aesthetics, or the look of these decorations, is also important. Many of our buildings' managers encourage a uniform, elegant look in the hallways, which is why we prefer not to have decorations on the outside of doors. Additionally, it allows common areas to be safe and clutter-free," she adds.
 

What are HOA lighting rules?

Lights-specific policies can also differ significantly depending on your community, as each is different. Some associations may have policies that only allow a specific color of lights for the exterior portion of your property, as they may prioritize uniformity within all of the homes. Some HOA lighting rules may also include timing schedules for lights to be on. For example, some associations may only allow decoration lights to be turned on from 11 p.m. until the following day.
 

When are holiday decoration policies set?

While the timing of these policies varies, some communities have a 30-day period before each holiday starts to gather and begin decorating. Typically, the central policies include a decoration removal period, where residents must take down their holiday décor after two weeks.

If you're a board member, communication should occur relatively early in the year. We suggest you prepare residents for these policies to allow time for any questions or issues that can arise. Reminding them of the governing documents is key, as most policies can be found there.

Informing residents about the holiday décor policies can be accomplished through the association's newsletter, website, or even instant messaging via a resident portal. This will provide a much-needed refresher to current residents and friendly notice to new homeowners. A good property management company will help draft an effective letter or posting that adheres to the community's bylaws while clarifying current and new residents.
 

How to communicate rules for holiday decorations

We understand how delivering these policies can be intimidating for a board member, but we also know that these are employed for the community's and its residents' best interest. Below, we have five  tips for board members to consider when planning and communicating these policies to other residents:

1. Be fair

   It is essential to know your governing documents backward and forward for policies to be enforced fairly. If there's an outright ban on holiday decor, make sure you implement this across all decorations or displays throughout the year; don't make exceptions. On the other hand, if your governing documents do not prohibit them explicitly and you don't see a reason to do so, then allow reasonable decor that doesn't pose a safety risk.
    

2. Be reasonable

   Most residents are receptive to holiday décor restrictions such as the time of year it's allowed and how much can be displayed. Consider surveying residents to learn what matters most to them. If appropriate, set a reasonable start date and end date for holiday decoration displays for the entire year. The same goes for time-of-day rules – nobody wants holiday lights flickering in their window at three in the morning, so all neighbors need to be aware and considerate of others as well. The one area you want to steer clear of is restricting religious displays at any time of year. This is a hot-button topic that's sure to encourage nothing but friction.
    

3. Remember that tastes are different

   We all have different likes and dislikes. A precious heirloom decoration that holds great meaning for you may be an eyesore for someone else. Therefore, nobody can define what's "tasteful" for everyone. Save yourself time by refraining from arguing about aesthetics. If you find that particular styles of decor are generating feedback among Association members, start a dialog with them to update the governing documents and reflect better current attitudes towards style choices made within your community.
    

4. Dictate common area décor

   When it comes time for your community association to decorate the common areas, remember to keep the decor free from religious undertones or imagery. For example, using lights and wreaths is a safe way to go in winter. If your community association is passionate about keeping religion in the holidays, try to protect that all faiths are represented equally. And it goes without saying that residents should not place holiday decorations in any area maintained by the association as it opens up danger and liability to both parties. Make sure your residents know these areas are off-limits.
    

5. Communicate early

   Surprises are fun, but not when they come with possible conflict; don't let the timing of your policy communication become a reason why residents are not adequately following the guidelines. "I didn't know until last week" or "I had no idea we had a décor policy" is not what you'd want to hear. Try to use your community resources and create an engaging and approachable way to explain the policies, their timing, and where residents can find more information.

What happens if you break holiday decoration rules?

If a resident violates their community's HOA holiday decoration policy, notices, fines, or legal action are typically imposed. These fines are left on record and can greatly impact if not paid. If the homeowner wants to sell their property in the future, for example, these fees can come back and cause unnecessary challenges.
 

Simplifying tasks for board members

At FirstService Residential, we partner with board members to simplify the process of communicating decoration guidelines— helping maintain your community's unique character while fostering a festive, welcoming environment. With our guidance, we can help you confidently uphold your policies and create a holiday season everyone can enjoy.

To learn how FirstService Residential can support your community's vision, contact a member of our team.