Lighting Regulations

• Shielded Fixtures: All outdoor lighting must use fully shielded luminaires to direct light downward, reducing glare and preventing spillover onto neighboring properties or streets.

• Light Spillover Limits: Lighting at the edges of a property must not exceed 0.5 footcandles (a low measure of light intensity). This ensures that light remains confined to your property and does not disturb neighbors or wildlife.
  • For technical details, see Section 4.12.3(B)(3)

• Security Lighting
  • Sensor Controlled: Security lights must activate through a sensor (e.g., motion or daylight sensors) to ensure they are only on when needed. This avoids constant illumination and conserves energy.
  • Brightness Limit: In residential zones (R-A, R-B, R-C), security lights are limited to 3,000 lumens per fixture, which is bright enough for safety but not intrusive for neighbors.
  • Automatic Shutoff: Security lights must turn off automatically within 15 minutes of activation, helping reduce unnecessary energy use.
  • For further details, see Section 4.12.2(C)(4).
• Floodlights: Floodlights are permitted on residential property but must adhere to the following rules:
  • Downward aiming: Floodlights must be aimed 60 degrees downward to keep light focused on the intended area and minimize glare.
  • Street proximity: If located within 50 feet of a street, floodlights must be aimed directly downward and aligned perpendicular to the street, with a horizontal aiming tolerance of 15 degrees or less.
  • See Section 4.12.3(D) for full details.

* Please note that a Development Plan is required prior to installing lighting on any Mixed-Use, Commercial or Industrially zoned property.

• Parking Lot and Pedestrian Area Lighting: Commercial properties must provide appropriate lighting for parking lots and pedestrian pathways while ensuring minimal disruption:
  • Parking lot poles: Maximum height of 20 feet.
  • Pedestrian pathway lights: Maximum height of 15 feet.
  • Lights within 30 feet of residential zones: Maximum height of 12 feet to minimize disturbances to nearby homes.
    • See Section 4.12.3(C) for full details.
• Brightness and Color Standards: Commercial lighting must balance visibility and aesthetic comfort:
  • Color Temperature: Lights must not exceed 3,000K, providing a warm and non-intrusive glow.
  • Color Rendering Index (CRI): Fixtures must meet a CRI of 80+, ensuring natural and clear visibility.
  • See Section 4.12.3(B)(2) for full details.
• Building and Architectural Lighting: Building lighting must highlight architectural features, facades, or landscaping without spilling onto adjacent properties or the night sky. 
  • Upward-directed lighting: allowed only if shielded and limited to 1,600 lumens per fixture.
  • Wall-mounted fixtures, commonly used for business exteriors, must also be fully shielded to prevent glare. 
  • See Section 4.12.3(F)) for full details.

Complete Lighting Ordinance (PDF)