HOLIDAY DECORATIONS RULES
- Unit owners may ONLY display seasonal and holiday decorations in the exclusive use areas of their unit and in the permanently landscaped area (known as the “5-foot area”). The decorations must be displayed in the time, place, and manner herein described.
- Definitions:
a. Owner–any association unit owner. For this rule only, “owner” also includes a tenant who has the permission of the unit owner to install seasonal or holiday decorations
b. Exclusive-use area–the limited common areas in which the owner has a direct or indirect ownership interest and that is designed for the exclusive use of the owner as defined in the Master Deed association document (e.g., portico or patio)
c. Seasonal decorations -For the purpose of this rule, seasonal decorations are defined as temporary lights, projections. Banners, lawn flags, objects, or wreaths that display symbols, illustrations, words, or phrases associated with winter, spring, summer, and fall.
(d) Holiday decorations–For this rule, holiday decorations are temporary lights, projections. Banners, lawn flags, objects, or wreaths that display symbols, illustrations, words, or phrases associated with a particular national, New Jersey, Manchester Township, or religious holiday.
3. PERMITTED Type and Size of Seasonal and Holiday Decorations
The following seasonal and holiday decorations are the only types and sizes that are permitted:
(a) Lights — Seasonal and/or holiday lights that are clear or multi-colored and meet UL safety standards. Lights may be single string, icicle, or web type.
(b) A total of two seasonal and/or holiday banners made of cloth or similar material that are no larger than 20”x40” if hung from flagpole brackets attached to the trim of the unit and two no larger than 13”x18” if placed in a permanently landscaped area.
(c) Seasonal and/or holiday objects (e.g., ornaments, figures, symbols) that are no larger than 6 feet high
(d) Inflatable seasonal and/or holiday objects that are no larger than 6 feet high
(e) Seasonal and/or holiday wreaths that are no larger than 4 feet in diameter
(f) Projectors for seasonal and/or holiday decorations that are located within the unit’s permanent landscaped (5-foot) area
SEASONAL OR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS THAT that use language and/or symbols that criticize, demean, or express hostility toward a religion, a religious or ethnic group, or members of a religion or religious or ethnic group, a sexual orientation or persons with that orientation, a gender identity or persons with that gender identity, a political party or members of a political party, an elected official, a law or governmental or any individual are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN no matter what type or size they are.
- Location and Manner of Displaying Seasonal and/or Holiday Decorations
(a) Seasonal and holiday lights may be placed on the trim of windows, doors, and porticos if secured by removable hooks
(b) Seasonal and holiday lights may be placed on plants, shrubs, and trees in the permanently landscaped areas.
(c) Decorative seasonal and holiday banners may be flown from a flagpole bracket attached to the trim of a unit or from a garden stand holder in the permanent landscaped area.
(d) No seasonal and/or holiday decorations are permitted to be attached to the roof, gutters, or outside walls of a unit.
(e) No seasonal and/or holiday decorations are permitted to be placed outside of the permanent landscaped area on any common property, such as lawns, pathways, trees, sidewalks, or bushes.
(f) Seasonal and/or holiday decorations must not encroach upon any common areas, the airspace of common areas, common elements of any other owner’s individual unit or limited common element, or the airspace of another owner’s limited common element.
(g) Seasonal and/or holiday decorations must be secured so they do not jeopardize the soundness or safety of any structure or the safety of any person at or near the sign.
- Timeframes for Displays:
Holiday Decorations may be displayed no earlier than 30 days before the date of the holiday and must be removed no later than 14 days after the date of the holiday.
Seasonal Decorations may be displayed no earlier than 30 days before the first day of the season and must be removed no later than 14 days after the last day of the season.