Half-staff rules in the United States are governed primarily by the President, who issues proclamations under 4 USC § 7(m), though governors hold authority over state buildings and may extend orders to all flags within their jurisdiction. Understanding exactly who can order the flag lowered — and under what circumstances — helps institutions, businesses, and private citizens comply with both federal law and the spirit of the USA Flag Collection they display with pride. The rules are more nuanced than most people realize, covering everything from the duration of lowering to the specific days mandated by statute each year.
The Legal Foundation: 4 USC § 7(m) and Presidential Authority
The primary legal authority for half-staff orders rests with the President of the United States, whose power is codified at 4 USC § 7(m) of the US Flag Code. This subsection states that the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of government and others as the President may direct — making the presidency the single most authoritative source for nationwide half-staff proclamations. Congress has also embedded several standing, recurring half-staff observances directly into federal law, meaning those dates apply automatically every year without requiring a new presidential proclamation.
The following dates are mandated by statute and require the flag to fly at half-staff on federal property and military installations regardless of any proclamation:
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May) — half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day
- Patriots' Day / September 11 (September 11) — all day
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7) — all day
- Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27) — all day
- Firefighters Memorial Day (first Sunday in October) — all day
Beyond these statutory dates, the President may issue ad hoc proclamations for the deaths of sitting or former heads of government, foreign dignitaries, military personnel killed in action, or during periods of national tragedy. These proclamations are published in the Federal Register and on WhiteHouse.gov, and they specify the duration — typically 24 hours, 48 hours, or through the day of interment for a deceased official.
Who Else Has Authority to Order the Flag to Half-Staff
Governors hold recognized authority under 4 USC § 7(m) to order flags on state-owned or state-controlled buildings to half-staff, and many governors extend their orders to include all flags flown within the state out of custom and respect. This means a governor's proclamation for a fallen state trooper or a local tragedy may — in practice — be followed by private businesses and individuals within that state, even though it is technically only binding on state property. Municipal governments and mayors generally have no independent legal authority under the Flag Code to order half-staff observances, but local custom and community respect often guide their decisions.
Private citizens and private businesses are entirely within their rights to fly the flag at half-staff on their own property — the US Flag Code does not impose legal penalties on civilians for half-staff protocol deviations (4 USC § 10 notes the code is advisory rather than criminally enforceable against private persons). That said, most flag etiquette experts and veteran organizations strongly encourage private citizens to follow presidential and gubernatorial proclamations out of respect. Military installations follow the orders of the Secretary of Defense or branch-specific directives, which may align with or supplement presidential orders.
How to Properly Lower the Flag to Half-Staff
Correctly lowering the flag to half-staff is not simply a matter of stopping the halyard at the halfway point on the pole — there is a specific ceremonial sequence required. Per established flag etiquette and US Flag Code guidance, the flag must first be raised briskly to the peak (the very top of the pole) and then slowly and solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, which is defined as halfway between the top and the bottom of the staff. The same ceremonial sequence applies in reverse when raising it back to full-staff: the flag is first raised to the peak before being lowered for the day or returned to full display. For flagpoles on buildings where the staff is fixed horizontally or at an angle, the flag is displayed at half-staff by attaching it at the midpoint of the staff rather than the peak. If you are selecting a durable flag specifically for frequent lowering and raising during half-staff periods, a reinforced canvas header and solid brass grommets — features found in the USA Outdoor Flag — make a meaningful difference in long-term performance.
The term "half-staff" applies to land-based flagpoles, while "half-mast" is the nautically correct term used for ships and vessels — a distinction that matters in formal and military contexts even if the two terms are used interchangeably in common speech. Half-staff position is generally interpreted as the flag's upper edge being at the midpoint of the pole, though some authorities describe it as placing the flag approximately one flag-width below the peak. Following your local installation's or employer's established practice is appropriate as long as it reflects the intent of the proclamation.
What the Flag Code Prohibits During Half-Staff Observances
During a half-staff period, the US Flag Code and established etiquette prohibit several specific actions that would undermine the solemnity of the observance. The most common violation is simply neglecting to lower the flag at all — particularly for institutions that display a flag daily — which is both disrespectful and, for federal buildings, a violation of federal regulation. Other prohibited practices include displaying the flag at a position other than the peak or half-staff without proclamation authority, flying any other flag higher than or at the same height as the US flag during the period, and — per 4 USC § 7(c) — flying any foreign flag at a higher position than the US flag at any time.
Institutions should also be aware that during a half-staff period, state flags, organizational flags, and pennants must also be lowered to a position below the US flag, maintaining proper order of precedence. Flying a state flag at half-staff while the US flag remains at full-staff — or vice versa in an uncoordinated manner — creates a confusing and potentially disrespectful display. For a deeper look at multi-flag display etiquette and the order of precedence, the guidance in our article on flagpole etiquette and display rules covers the full framework in practical detail.
Duration and Notification: How Long Does Half-Staff Last
The duration of a half-staff observance depends entirely on the type of event and the specific proclamation issued. Presidential proclamations specify the exact duration — common periods include 24 hours (often for foreign dignitaries), 30 days (for a sitting President or former President), 10 days (for a Vice President or Speaker of the House), and through the day of interment for other principal officials. Statutory dates like Pearl Harbor Day and September 11 are fixed at a full day, while Memorial Day's half-staff period ends at noon with a raise to full-staff for the afternoon.
For institutions, monitoring proclamation sources is essential. The White House website, the American Legion's online proclamation tracker, and official state government channels are the most reliable sources. Many facilities designate a specific staff member — often a facilities manager or executive assistant — to monitor these sources and ensure timely compliance. It is worth noting that a proclamation issued late in the day still typically requires the flag to be lowered immediately upon the official becoming aware, and the observance runs through the full period stated regardless of when the physical lowering occurs.
USA Flag Collection
Built for daily outdoor display and repeated half-staff cycles, these flags feature reinforced headers, UV-resistant nylon, and brass grommets rated for years of active use.
Browse Collection →A Practical Compliance Checklist for Institutions and Businesses
Institutions — schools, government buildings, hospitals, corporations, and houses of worship — bear the greatest responsibility for consistent half-staff compliance because their flags are visible to the public and often serve as a community signal. The checklist below distills the core obligations into actionable steps that any facility manager or administrator can implement immediately.
- Designate a procurement contact who monitors the White House proclamations page and relevant state government sources daily, or subscribes to an alert service that flags new proclamations.
- Post the statutory half-staff dates (Memorial Day, September 11, December 7, July 27, and first Sunday in October) on your facility calendar at the start of each year so they are never missed.
- Establish a written SOP for the ceremonial raise-to-peak-then-lower sequence, and ensure every person responsible for the flag knows this procedure.
- Inspect flag hardware quarterly — a jammed halyard or broken cleat discovered on the morning a proclamation is issued creates unnecessary delays and disrespect. Refer to guidance on proper flagpole maintenance and display for a full inspection framework.
- Keep a spare flag on hand — half-staff periods involve repeated raising and lowering cycles that accelerate fabric wear. A UV-resistant outdoor flag typically lasts 6 months to 2 years under continuous display; frequent cycling reduces that lifespan.
- Document compliance — note in a facility log when the flag was lowered and raised for each proclamation, along with the source of the order. This protects institutions that face community scrutiny or official review.
- Retire worn flags properly — flags used through multiple half-staff cycles wear faster and should be checked after each period. When the time comes, follow the guidance in our article on flag retirement and proper disposal to ensure dignified handling.
For institutions that fly multiple flags — US flag, state flag, and organizational flag together — the US flag must always occupy the position of highest honor and must be the first lowered and the last raised during any half-staff ceremony. The state flag and organizational flags follow, positioned below the US flag at all times during the half-staff period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a mayor or city council order the flag to half-staff? +
Does a governor's half-staff order apply to private businesses? +
What is the correct half-staff position on a flagpole? +
What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast? +
On Memorial Day, is the flag supposed to be at half-staff all day? +
How do I find out if a half-staff order is currently in effect? +
Does flying a flag at half-staff accelerate wear on the fabric? +
Understanding and following half-staff rules is one of the most visible ways an institution or individual demonstrates genuine respect for national symbols and the people they honor. Whether you are a school administrator, a facilities manager, or a private homeowner, keeping a compliant, high-quality flag ready for these observances matters. Browse the full USA Flag Collection for outdoor-rated options built to handle frequent lowering and raising cycles, or view the USA Outdoor Flag specifically for heavy-duty pole display. For guidance on sizing your flag correctly relative to your pole height, the article on US flag sizes explained in inches and feet provides the standards used by federal installations. Bulk pricing is available for corporate, institutional, and government orders — contact us directly for volume quotes and custom lead times.
