Florida homeowner facing fines for putting up Christmas lights too early

WESTCHASE, Fla. — A Central Florida man said his homeowner’s association showed signs of being Grinch-like after warning him that he could face fines of up to $1,000 for putting his Christmas lights up too early, according to multiple reports.

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Michael Moffa told WFLA-TV that his family hired a company to put Christmas lights up outside their home in Westchase on Nov. 6. He added that he can’t climb onto the roof himself.

“There’s a guy in the neighborhood that puts up lights professionally and he was booked solid for the last two years,” Moffa told WFTS. “This year, he actually had an opening. It was for Nov. 6, and so we went ahead and did that.”

Days after the lights went up, he said his family got a letter from the Westchase Community Association telling them that they could be fined $100 each day, up to $1,000, if they fail to take the lights back down, WFLA reported. The letter noted that homes can to display “seasonal décor” from Oct. 1 to Nov. 7 and again from Thanksgiving Day until Jan. 15, according to WFTS.

Jonathan Ellis, an attorney for the Westchase Community Association, told WFLA that the rule is aimed at preventing a person from keeping their holiday lights up year-round. He said the community manager of the homeowner’s association began an investigation after a neighbor complained about the lights on the Moffas’ home.

“There’s been no determination whether he will be fined or not,” Ellis told WFTS. “I think the association having sent the violation letter wants to see what the response is and the board of directors will review the response.”

Moffa told the news station that he has no plans to remove the lights, which he said he put up for his children to enjoy.

“They say it’s too early, but what’s too early?” he said. “We like to decorate early inside and outside. It’s just the best time of the year.”

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