Family’s extravagant Christmas display divides neighborhood as furious homeowners’ association threatens fines

A Maryland family’s sprawling Christmas lights display has erupted into a bitter neighborhood showdown after their homeowners’ association threatened them with escalating fines. 

The Salgado family of Germantown, Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C. says their HOA has ordered them to dismantle their outdoor Christmas decorations or face a $650 fine that will grow each day the display remains up. 

The family say the leveling of fines against them is both baffling and deeply unfair.

At the heart of the dispute is a traditional Christmas setup anchored by a nativity scene displayed in the front yard.

The family say the setup reflects both their faith and their long-standing holiday tradition.

‘We have the manger scene out front, which is like the centerpiece for our display,’ Pahan Salgado told NBC4. ‘It shows us our faith and what we believe in and the reason we decorate for Christmas.’

But the HOA has labeled the decorations a nuisance. 

‘I say this is not a nuisance or annoyance to the community,’ 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,’ he said with a smile. 

The Salgados insist the display is not just quiet but is restrained compared to previous years. 

Supuli Salgado said the family deliberately scaled back this year, hoping to avoid any issues. 

‘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,’ she said.

Despite that effort, the HOA has warned that the fine would only continue to increase if the decorations were not removed. The move has now pushed the family to seek legal help.

Their attorney, David Gardner, told NBC4 the enforcement appears inconsistent and unfair, pointing to other decorated homes throughout the neighborhood.

‘You can see as you go through the neighborhood, there are other homes with similar displays,’ Gardner said. 

‘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.’

Gardner said the family plans to challenge the fine and the HOA’s actions. 

‘We’re going to challenge that, and I would fully expect a court to agree.’ 

As tensions mount, the Salgados say they have no intention of backing down or dismantling a tradition they see as an expression of joy rather than disruption.

‘The grinches are gonna hate, but we’re still going to do it,’ Supuli Salgado said. 

An HOA lawyer declined to comment on the Salgados’ case or any individual enforcement action but defended the association’s broader approach.

‘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.

Aside from the Salgados’ front lawn, at least one other neighbor also received a warning letter from the HOA over her illuminated reindeer decorations – a much smaller display that nonetheless drew scrutiny.

That neighbor expressed disbelief at the crackdown.

‘I’m amazed that in America today, 2025, almost 2026 – and people are complaining about beautiful decorations in our neighborhood,’ she said.