Eagle Mountain's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Eagle Mountain, Utah, 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

Eagle Mountain requires every permanent outdoor light fixture, including on single-family and multifamily homes, to be a full cutoff fixture with the light source fully shielded and aimed downward under EMMC 17.56.050.

Key details: Governing chapter: EMMC Chapter 17.56. Shielding rule: Full cutoff, fully shielded, downward-directed. Applies to: All uses including single-family homes. Civil penalty: $75.00 per day after 30-day notice. Commercial lighting curfew: Off by 11:00 p.m. or at closing.

The planning director investigates complaints and, on finding a violation, must give written notice by hand delivery or certified mail demanding abatement within 30 days (EMMC 17.56.120(A)). If the violation is not corrected in that window, the city may sue to enjoin or abate it and collect civil penalties of $75.00 per day, with each day after the 30-day period counted as a separate offense (17.56.120(B)).

Light Trespass & Shielding

Eagle Mountain requires outdoor light fixtures, including security lighting, to be aimed and shielded so illumination stays within the property line, with motion-sensing fixtures required to shut off when motion stops, under EMMC 17.56.050(C).

Key details: Governing section: EMMC 17.56.050(C). Standard: Illumination confined to property boundaries. Motion lights: Must shut off when motion ceases. Civil penalty: $75.00 per day after 30-day notice. Defined term: "Light trespass" in EMMC 17.56.140(I).

Enforcement runs through EMMC 17.56.120: the planning director investigates, and on finding a violation issues written notice by hand delivery or certified mail giving 30 days to abate. If the light trespass is not corrected, the city can seek an injunction or abatement order and impose a civil penalty of $75.00 per day, with each day past the 30-day deadline treated as a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Eagle Mountain'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 Eagle Mountain is broadly strict or permissive.

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