Holiday lights on your house could earn you a fine in the City of Williamsburg.
A city zoning ordinance, last updated in Feb. 2016, restricts when holiday lights — like strands of multi-colored Christmas lights — are allowed within city limits, according to the ordinance.
The lights are only allowed to be displayed between Thanksgiving and Jan. 6 of the following year.
Neither York County nor James City County have similar restrictions, according to their respective county attorneys.
Certain lights are allowed to be displayed out of season. White non-flashing lights can be displayed on private property, but only in the downtown sign district.
Generally, it’s against the city ordinance to string sets of lights on trees, fences, shrubs, and more.
Fines for the first offense start at $200 while every additional offense costs $500. At most, the cost to have Christmas lights up out of season could be as high as $3,000, according to city ordinance.
While it might be unlawful, City Attorney Christina Shelton said it’s never been something that has come across her desk.
“I cannot recall any zoning matter being referred to my office regarding holiday lights which would be necessary to move forward with any action to enforce the penalty and/or an injunction,” Shelton wrote in an email.
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