Apex's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Apex, North Carolina, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dark Sky Rules

New Apex developments must use shielded, full cutoff outdoor fixtures capped at 35 feet and 3,500 Kelvin under the Town's Unified Development Ordinance to curb light trespass onto neighboring properties.

Key details: Max mounting height: 35 ft for full cutoff fixtures. Max color temperature: 3,500 Kelvin. Setback from property line: 10 feet minimum. Applies to: Site Plans, nonresidential subdivisions. Shields required: near residential uses, parking lots.

Enforced at Site Plan review, where a licensed lighting professional must certify the plan meets these standards; installed lighting that deviates from the approved plan is subject to the UDO's zoning enforcement remedies.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Apex's Unified Development Ordinance requires site and subdivision plans to control glare and light spillover onto neighboring properties, capping fixture mounting heights and mandating shielding, though ordinary single-family home lighting outside a development plan is exempt.

Key details: Governing provision: UDO Art. 8.6, Secs. 8.6.1-8.6.6. Max mounting height: 35 feet for full cutoff fixtures. Color temperature cap: 3,500 Kelvin maximum. Applies to: Site plans, not individual homes. Codified: July 27, 2021 (UDO).

Noncompliant site lighting can hold up plan approval or a certificate of occupancy; the Planning Director may require shielding, reduced intensity, or an approved alternative-compliance lighting plan before sign-off.

The Bottom Line

Apex's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Apex is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Apex's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.