American Flag Pole Rules

Flag Code Rules

• If you fly the United States flag on your flagpole, you'll have to follow the rules set by the U.S. Flag Code regarding the manner of its display. For a flag on a flagpole, you may choose to hoist and lower the flag each day, or to provide illumination and leave it raised overnight. If you do raise and lower the flag daily, the flag code requires that you hoist the flag "briskly" and lower it back down "ceremoniously." If you have multiple flagpoles, the U.S. Flag Code requires that no flags of states, cities or foreign nations fly higher than the United States flag. Likewise, if you fly a local flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. flag, you must place the national flag at the top.

Municipal Ordinances

• Many municipalities impose ordinances on the height of flagpoles in residential areas. In order to determine the allowable dimensions for a flagpole in your area, first consult with city or county-level zoning ordinances. A 2009 article by Michael Lamendola on NorthJersey.com notes that in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, zoning laws classify flag poles as "accessory structures," restricting their height to 15 feet. In Highland Park, Illinois, in addition to restrictions on flagpole height, ordinances require that all flagpoles resist a wind pressure of 1 1/2 pounds per square foot of the flag's area, at the tip of the pole, and an additional 50 pounds per square foot along the pole's length. In the city of Chesapeake, Virginia, residential flagpoles cannot exceed 35 feet in height, and flagpoles at commercial locations cannot exceed 26 feet. All flagpoles must also be set back from streets, parking lots or other pavement or adjoining properties by a distance equal to their height plus 3 feet.

Community Regulations

• In communities managed by homeowner association boards, community by-laws may restrict residents from erecting flagpoles of certain sizes, or any flagpoles altogether. Communities typically rule against flagpoles on the basis of noise, aesthetics or potential safety issues. While an HOA-managed community may include provisions in its by-laws to restrict flagpole sizes or manner of installation, HOALeader.com says the federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 denies any condominium, co-op or homeowner association the right to prohibit residents from displaying the U.S. flag. Nonetheless, if you live in an HOA community, check whether community regulations restrict the manner in which you can display your flag, such as whether you can do so with a full-sized flagpole.