(nbcwashington.com)
Christmas lights are everywhere. But how much is too much when it comes to decorating the outside of your home?
A family in Germantown, Maryland, says their homeowners’ association slapped them with a $650 fine that grows by the day if they don’t take down their decorations.
The Salgado family says all they want for Christmas is to spread a little holiday cheer.
“We have the manger scene out front, which is like the centerpiece for our display. Shows us our faith and what we believe in and the reason we decorate for Christmas,” resident Pahan Salgado said, describing the display as "very simple and very classic."
“Each year our family has a display, and it gets bigger and changes each year, but this year we did tone it down — by a lot,” resident Supuli Salgado said.
Here’s what it looks like this year:
And here’s what it looked like last year:
So, yes — they did tone it down, but apparently, not enough. The HOA called their decorations a nuisance and annoyance.
“I say this is not a nuisance or annoyance to the community,” Pahan Salgado said. “As you can tell, it’s not even making any sounds. It’s completely silent, so, it's a very silent night out here.”
The Salgados got a lawyer involved.
“You can see as you go through the neighborhood, there are other homes with similar displays,” said attorney David Gardner. “They might not be as nice or extravagant, but this is a very attractive, traditional Christmas display, and they’re essentially being selectively singled out for enforcement, and we’re going to challenge that, and I would fully expect a court to agree.”
One of their neighbors, with a much more humble decoration, also just received a letter from the HOA on Monday warning her of potential fines if she doesn't take down her reindeer.
“I’m amazed that in America today — 2025, almost 2026 — and people are complaining about beautiful decorations in our neighborhood," she said.
The Salgados said they don’t plan on backing down from their holiday tradition.
“The grinches are gonna hate, but we’re still going to do it,” Supuli Salgado said.
News4 reached out to the HOA and its lawyers with several questions about the specific rules they say the Salgados are violating. An HOA lawyer told News4 she couldn’t comment on a specific homeowner or HOA enforcement action.
“The Association’s goal is to support a safe, respectful, and well-maintained community while ensuring the Association’s governing documents are enforced uniformly and in accordance with Maryland law,” the lawyer said in a statement.