What are deviantART's policies regarding avatars?

This section applies only to avatars which you personally use for your account; avatars submitted into a deviantART Gallery or to your Scrapbook must still conform to all official policies without exception but are not subjected to the restrictions below.
Avatars used to represent your account on site are granted more leniency than standard site submissions. You may freely use material and resources with only the restrictions outlined as follows;

• Your avatar must not contain nudity of any sort.

• You may not use avatars specifically created by other users without their explicit permission.

• If your avatar contains a portion of a work made by another artist it will be removed by staff at the request of the original artist.

• In all other respects your avatar must conform to official policy in regards to hate propaganda.

If you see someone with an avatar you believe to be in violation of the above policies, please submit a ticket to the Help Desk, and it will be forwarded to the appropriate administrators.