The City of Dallas has launched a survey that could limit Christmas cheer.
The city’s Code Enforcement department is using a survey to collect complaints related to holiday-season lights, noise, and gatherings.
Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn disavowed the survey on December 19, saying it was “designed to limit Christmas lights & displays of free, festive & fun holiday cheer for families.”
“Fill it out & let the city know how much more regulation and selective enforcement of rules you want in your neighborhood,” she posted on X. “I do NOT support this effort and hope the [sic] we will focus on significant issues facing our city.”
This is a @CityOfDallas survey designed to limit Christmas lights & displays of free, festive & fun holiday cheer for families.
Fill it out & let the city know how much more regulation and selective enforcement of rules you want in your neighborhood.
I do NOT support this…
— Cara Mendelsohn 🟦 (@caraathome) December 19, 2025
The survey began by asking residents how often they see “large gatherings or event-related activities” like “parties, backyard gatherings, noise from event venues” in their neighborhood.
It asked what kinds of noise most affect them: music, events or large gatherings, commercial activity, or construction.
Then, the survey asked how often residents “experience bright or excessive lighting,” and what kinds: “excessive brightness,” “strobe lights,” “vehicle/parking-area lighting” from events, lighting from “large private gatherings,” or commercial lighting.
“Do bright lights from nearby homes affect your comfort or sleep?” the survey asked.
The survey language also prompted reactions on social media.
Did the grinch write this?! lol pic.twitter.com/GV8pfGECfZ
— Greg Kamstra (@gkamstra) December 19, 2025
The survey continued to ask if residents experience “parking overflow or street congestion” from events or gatherings, and if commercial vehicles park overnight.
“Do you support limits on the size or frequency of private gatherings?” the survey asked. “Do you support measurable lighting limits?”
Earlier this year, city officials discussed cracking down on elaborate Christmas displays after a viral home in Preston Hollow lit up a neighborhood and drew traffic to a residential street, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis, who represents the district, called it an “extraordinary neighborhood disruption.” Meanwhile, Councilman Paul Ridley expressed concern officials might become “Grinches.”
