M.H. from New Haven County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Can we restrict the rules for Christmas lights to be white only?
Mister Condo replies:
M.H., yes, you can but you’d best get a feel for what the community wants before your arbitrarily set any type of holiday lighting policy. Also, be very careful in what words you choose so as not to discriminate. Not everyone celebrates Christmas so be sure to use the word “holiday” and, perhaps, be sure that the standard is applied year-round. That is to say that white lights would be the only lights ever allowed. Keep in mind that residents who are used to decorating their units the way they see fit may already own and have history of displaying multi-color lights and/or ornaments. If possible, get a feel for the consensus of unit owners before making such a policy. Unless you truly feel the need to restrict the color of outdoor lights, I think I would just let it go for short holiday season. Ho, Ho, Ho!
Sounds like a really tricky issue. Whatever rules presumably would need to cover any perceived holiday such as Halloween, Chinese New Year, 4th of July. anyone’s birthday…