Can Myrtle Beach area HOAs tell you when you can turn on your Christmas lights?
As soon as Halloween is over and the Hallmark Channel begins to air its holiday programs in November, those who love Christmas are preparing to put up their decorations and string their lights both inside and outside.
For homeowners who live in a homeowners association, there are often limitations on when — and what — you can decorate, and when you can turn on those lights.
So you may want to think before becoming another Clark Griswold of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” spending tons of money on holiday decor that you can’t install or display because it goes against the HOA’s rules.
But is it legal for an HOA to limit members’ ability to decorate their homes for the holidays?
Several residents in HOAs in the Myrtle Beach area have taken to neighborhood social site Nextdoor to question why their community has prevented them from turning on their holiday lights.
One resident in Grande Dunes Golf Village posted on Nov. 13, 2025, that their HOA doesn’t allow homeowners to turn on Christmas lights until Thanksgiving. Others from several other HOA communities joined in, noting the rules by which they must abide when it comes to decorating their homes.
A policy from Golf Village Property Owners Association goes as far as to dictate when seasonal displays should be removed after the holiday. Residents have 30 days to remove lights after a holiday. However, holiday lights can remain in trees until March 1, provided they are not in operation.
Most commenting about the holiday rules simply replied, “Welcome to HOA living.”
It’s true that homeowners concede to many rules and regulations when they move into an HOA. That’s why members should read their homeowners association rules to discover what is and isn’t allowed. The rules are usually in a document known as the covenants, codes and restrictions.
South Carolina governs what HOAs can and can’t do in the state. And while there have been instances of people taking their HOAs to court for violating what they believe are their rights regarding their property, HOAs get their authority from legal documents, which the state sees as binding contracts.
Instead of trying to take your HOA to court, a legal blog on FindLaw, which offers free legal advice, recommends going to your neighbors and talking “civilly” about your plans. It’s possible, the blog says, that association rules may not be strictly enforced during the holidays.
You can also take your case to the HOA board and ask for an amendment to the rule. If there are enough members who want things to change, the community association may listen.
Enforcement of HOA rules varies by neighborhood. Those who violate such rules could receive a written letter or be issued a fine.
