Many homeowners like to go all out with their decor during the holiday season to spread Christmas cheer. To keep the aesthetic of the HOA, some HOAs have rules about what homeowners can and can’t display outside in terms of decorations.
As an HOA, you want there to be some order within the community, while still allowing homeowners to get into the Christmas spirit. Here are a few holiday decoration rules to implement in your HOA that aren’t too restrictive and that most homeowners can get behind.
Distracting Lights
Lights are one of the most popular holiday decorations that homeowners put up around the holidays, and while they can be beautiful to look at, sometimes they can be distracting. As an HOA, you should prohibit homeowners from putting up flashing lights or any lighting that can be distracting. Not only can it cause issues while driving, but the lights could be a nuisance to neighbors, depending on where they are placed.
Noisy Decorations
Most HOAs have rules regarding noise levels, so homeowners should not be surprised that this would be a rule for holiday decor. Typically, noise levels apply to parties and pets, but holiday decor should be no different. Although there aren’t a lot of holiday decorations that make noise, you should restrict those that do from making noise during odd hours.
Large Decorations
Some homeowners take “go big or go home” a little too literally, and they will put up huge inflatable decorations that take up a ton of space. Many HOAs will ban them because, as fun as they can be, inflatable decor isn’t the best-looking decor in the market. You don’t need to go as far as to ban them entirely, but even putting sizing restrictions in place can help tone it down.
Decor Timeframe
As an HOA, you want to be as accommodating as possible, but sometimes, you need to set some timeframes. Many homeowners will often put their decorations up early or leave them up for a while after the holidays, which can take away from the community’s aesthetic. Consider having a respectable timeframe for displaying holiday decorations that benefits the HOA and allows homeowners to show off their Christmas spirit.
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year and should be able to be celebrated within your HOA, but that doesn’t mean homeowners should go overboard. If you have any questions about HOA rules for holiday decorations, give us a call at 512-676-5842 — we’d be happy to talk to you about who we are, the services we offer, and our process.
