Flag lighting in Norway: flag and pennant after sunset

In many countries, it is common for a lit flag to stay up all night. In Norway, the custom is different: the flag is lowered in the evening, while the pennant often stays up day and night. Lighting the flagpole is still common at businesses and public buildings, where the light highlights the pole and the flag before sunset and the pennant afterwards.

What the flag regulation says

Under section 6 of the flag regulation, the flag is lowered at sunset, but no later than 9 p.m. if the sun sets later. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, it is lowered at 3 p.m. from November to February. The regulation makes no exception for lit flags. It applies to state bodies, and according to Lovdata the Flag Act and the flag regulation contain no rules for private individuals.

Light summer evenings

In summer, the sun sets late in Southern Norway, and north of the Arctic Circle it does not set at all. The 9 p.m. limit then decides when the flag is lowered on state buildings. Many private individuals follow the same time.

The pennant at night

According to Store norske leksikon, the pennant in the national colours is used more informally than the flag and can stay hoisted day and night. It is therefore common to swap the flag for the pennant in the evening, and for the pennant to be what is lit at night. Noise from a pennant slapping against the pole is covered in the guide to flagpole mechanics.

Lighting and the electrical installation

Floodlights at the foot of the pole are the most common solution. Some poles also have a light at the top. According to the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), work on the fixed electrical installation of a home is as a rule work for a registered electrical contractor. DSB describes some tasks private individuals can do themselves, including certain work on installations below 50 volts where the connection to the 230-volt mains is made by a registered electrical contractor or via an approved transformer with a plug. Registered contractors are listed in DSB’s register of electrical contractors (Elvirksomhetsregisteret).

Neighbours and light

Light shining into the neighbours’ windows can be felt as a nuisance. Section 2 of the Neighbour Act prohibits having or doing anything that unreasonably or unnecessarily causes damage or nuisance to the neighbouring property. Whether light is unreasonable depends, among other things, on what is usual in the area. Many aim the floodlight so that the light hits the flag or pennant and not the neighbours’ house. Municipal plans can also contain provisions on lighting.

Businesses

Lit flagpoles and flag installations are common at businesses, often with company flags. The flag regulation does not apply to private businesses, but many follow the same times for the Norwegian flag. More in the guide to flagpoles for businesses, and on the fixed times in the guide to flag rules.