Can you display an American flag at night?
Rachel Hernandez
Published Apr 29, 2026
Can you display an American flag at night?
The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
Is it illegal to fly the US flag at night without a light?
In the case of the American flag, yes, it is illegal. The US Flag Code states that it is illegal to fly the US flag at night without adequate light. The American flag code is part of federal law. Each state using it as a foundation for its own specific flag codes regarding the handling and display of the American flag.
What are the rules for flying the American flag at night?
Only fly a flag at night if it is illuminated. Custom dictates that you should display flags only from sunrise to sunset, but you can keep the stars and stripes flying 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
Is it illegal to display a torn flag?
Can You Fly a Tattered American Flag? The short answer is “no,” flags that display tears or appear worn down in a significant way should not be hoisted under any circumstances, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
How do you illuminate a flag at night?
Ideally, each fixture should produce 150 lumens with a narrow beam. In addition, the lighting fixtures should be installed around 3 feet from the flag pole and aimed at the ball at the top of the pole. This arrangement will allow the lights to spread and illuminate the flag itself, no matter which way the wind blows.
Are you supposed to take your flag down when it rains?
The U.S. Flag Code addresses the rules for flying flags, rain or shine. It is specific on what to do in the case of rain. The United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, states: “The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.”
Is it OK to display a tattered American flag?
Those who are not U.S. citizens should stand at attention. When the flag is worn out or otherwise no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
What are the rules of flying the American flag at night?
Flag at Night? Illumination. The U.S. 24-Hour Flags. There are eight places in the United States where official proclamations and laws have stated that a flag must be flown 24 hours a day. All-Weather Flags. Full-weather flags are useful when flying the American flag at night or for 24 hours.
Do I need to illuminate my American flag at night?
For a stationary flag displayed on a building, pole or staff, it is customary to fly it from sunrise to sunset. You are only permitted to display your flag at night if it is properly illuminated.
Does the American flag need to have a light on it at night?
Flag Lights Flag lighting is required under Federal Law for anyone who flies a United States flag at night. The law does not stipulate wattage for fixture, fixture types, lamp types, or even a set number of foot candles. This is left to the lighting designer to determine, as the intent of the law is what matters here.
When displaying the flag at night must it be illuminated?
According to the U.S. Flag code, it is universal custom to raise the flag at dawn and lower it at dusk. But if you choose to display the American flag at night, it should be properly illuminated . Most homeowners tend to use a single lighting fixture which is usually too narrow to properly illuminate the flag and ends up lighting the pole, defeating the purpose of calling attention to the flag itself.