All flags will be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. The appropriate times will conform with the scheduled sunrise/sunset as reported in the daily weather report. The Main Capitol flags will not be lowered at sunset but displayed 24 hours a day.

The flag shall not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed. All flags currently displayed under the Capitol Police jurisdiction are considered to be the all weather type and will be flown except during severe inclement weather conditions when personal safety is jeopardized, or property damage may result.

The flag shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

No other flag or pennant shall be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States.

When both the U.S. flag and the Commonwealth flag are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States shall be hoisted first and lowered last. No flag or pennant may be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States.

Officers assigned to raising or lowering flags will ensure that the ropes are tightly fastened to the flag staff cleats, to prevent the ropes from fraying.

Folding of the National Colors will be in the proper and prescribed manner. Wet colors will be folded at the site, returned to its place of storage, where it will be unfolded and spread for drying. The flag will then be refolded.

Display of the Flag at Half-Staff

The flag, when flown at half-staff, shall be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag shall be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

When the National Flag is lowered to half-staff, the State Flag will also be lowered to half-staff.

On Memorial Day, the flag shall be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top on the staff.

By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.

In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of this Commonwealth, the Governor may proclaim that the National Flag shall be flown at half-staff.

Special days designated in accordance with this section for flying the flag at half-staff may be proclaimed by the Governor in any manner that he deems appropriate.

Notification Procedures

The Capitol Police Communications Center will phone the Federal Capitol Police verify that the National Colors are to be lowered to half-staff.

The Governor’s Office will decide, and so instruct, when the State Colors are to be lowered to half-staff.