Outdoor Christmas decorations aren’t flying at U.S. Air Force base housing in the Florida Panhandle, at least not before Thanksgiving.
TL;DR
- Florida Panhandle landlord prohibits Christmas lights before Thanksgiving.
- Balfour Beatty Communities enforces lease agreement for holiday decoration timing.
- Winter decorations permitted only after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day.
- Lights must be removed by the third week of January.
Residents of the private housing community situated close to Tyndall Air Force Base have been directed by the operating company to take down their holiday decorations and not re-display them until after Thanksgiving.
“All holiday decorations should be reflective in their respective months and not any sooner than 30 days before the given holiday,” the landlord said in the message.
Air Force Capt. Justin Davidson-Beebe, a Tyndall spokesman, said Wednesday that the landlord, Balfour Beatty Communities, had set the policy.
“They are enforcing the community standards outlined in the legally binding lease agreement all residents voluntarily sign,” Davidson-Beebe said in an email. “These guidelines are not part of a broader Air Force policy. Since community standards are set by the privatized housing management company at some installations, standards may vary from base to base.”
According to the 59-page community handbook for Tyndall AFB Homes, winter decorations and lights are permitted solely from the week following Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day, with lights restricted to illumination between 6 p.m. And 11 p.m.
“Do not keep them lit all night or in daylight hours,” the handbook says. “They must be removed no later than the third week of January; they may not remain on the exterior year-round.”
Balfour Beatty Communities stated on Wednesday that the company was merely providing recommendations, and no penalties would result from their enforcement.
“Our holiday decoration guidelines are designed to provide a general framework to help maintain consistency in our communities,” the company said. “We value the joy and creativity our residents bring to their neighborhoods, especially during the holidays, and apologize for any confusion.”
The Florida Panhandle installation near Panama City hosts the 325th Fighter Wing. In 2018, the base experienced catastrophic damage due to Hurricane Michael,, a Category 5 hurricane. Rebuilding the base was projected to cost $4.7 billion.