Creating Holiday Decoration Guidelines for Your Community

The vibrant decorations of Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Halloween highlight the joy people find in celebrating with festive displays. Decorations can foster a sense of community and comfort. However, living in a neighborhood or homeowners association (HOA) often comes with specific guidelines on how residents can decorate their homes.

Holiday Decoration Guidelines in HOAs

Being part of a community requires understanding the association’s regulations on holiday decorations. While regulations vary, most HOAs have policies concerning exterior decor. These guidelines aim to maintain uniformity and uphold community standards. As a board member, enforcing these rules fairly is part of your role. Utilizing a property management team can aid in implementing these standards effectively and consistently.

Here are four practical tips for establishing and upholding your community's holiday decoration policies.

1. Maintain Fairness

To enforce policies impartially, a thorough understanding of your governing documents is crucial. If holiday decorations are banned outright, apply this equally to all occasions throughout the year without exceptions. Conversely, if there’s no explicit prohibition and no substantial reason to restrict them, permit reasonable decorations that do not pose a safety issue.

Communicating these guidelines before each holiday season is helpful. This can be achieved through the association’s newsletter, website, or resident portal. These communications serve as a reminder for current residents and as guidance for new homeowners. A competent property management company can assist in drafting clear and effective notices that align with community bylaws.

2. Exercise Reasonableness

Most residents are willing to follow restrictions regarding when and how much holiday decor can be displayed. Consider conducting a survey to understand what’s important to the community. If suitable, establish a start and end date for decorations each year. Similarly, set guidelines for when lights can be turned on to avoid disturbing neighbors at inconvenient hours. It’s critical to avoid limiting religious displays, as this can lead to unnecessary conflict.

3. Acknowledge Diverse Tastes

Recognize that everyone has different preferences. What may be a cherished decoration to one person could be unappealing to another. Avoid getting into disputes over subjective aesthetics. If certain styles generate feedback from association members, initiate discussions to update governing documents to better reflect the community's current preferences.

4. Define Common Area Decorations

When decorating community common areas, ensure the decor remains neutral and free of religious symbols. Using elements like lights and wreaths is a safe choice for winter. If religious elements are included, ensure all faiths receive equal representation. Moreover, residents should refrain from placing personal holiday decorations in common areas managed by the association to avoid safety risks and liability. Clarify that these spaces are off-limits.

For a harmonious and enjoyable holiday season, focus on establishing straightforward rules concerning location, timing, and safety. This approach can prevent conflicts and diminish the need for strict enforcement of rules.