Flag Etiquette 101: Proper Display, Lighting, and Maintenance for Homeowners

The U.S. Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 1-10) establishes the rules for displaying the American flag with dignity and respect. Most homeowners know the basics, but the specifics of when to display, how to light, and how to retire a flag are less widely understood. This guide covers everything a homeowner needs to know.

When to Display the Flag

The flag should be displayed on all days, but especially on national holidays. It is traditionally flown from sunrise to sunset. If you choose to display the flag at night, it must be properly illuminated. A flagpole light pointed at the flag satisfies this requirement.

The flag should be taken down during severe weather unless you have an all-weather flag specifically designed for continuous outdoor display. Most nylon flags are not rated for sustained heavy rain or ice exposure.

Half-Staff Rules

The President of the United States issues proclamations ordering the flag to be flown at half-staff (also called half-mast on ships). Common occasions include:

• Death of a government official or military member as specified by law
• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff)
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7)
• Patriot Day (September 11)

Governors may also order half-staff for state-level tragedies. On a telescoping flagpole, half-staff means the flag is flown at the midpoint of the pole, not necessarily exactly half the pole height, but visually centered.

Proper Orientation and Positioning

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• The union (blue field with stars) should always be at the top, to the flag's own right (observer's left when facing the flag)
• When displayed on a wall horizontally, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right
• The American flag should always be at the top when flown on the same halyard as another flag
• When flown alongside flags of other nations, all flags should be at the same height

Lighting Requirements for Night Display

The Flag Code states that the flag may be displayed 24 hours if "a patriotic effect is desired" and the flag is "properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." A solar flagpole light or low-voltage flood light pointed at the flag satisfies this requirement. The light should illuminate the entire flag, not just the pole.

How to Retire a Worn Flag

When a flag is no longer in a condition for dignified display (due to fading, tearing, or soiling), it should be retired, not simply thrown away. The U.S. Flag Code states that worn flags should be "destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." Many VFW posts, American Legion posts, and Boy Scout troops hold annual flag retirement ceremonies and will accept worn flags for proper disposal.

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