Outdoor Lighting in High Point, NC: What Residents Actually Need to Know
If you live in High Point or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. High Point has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.
Dark Sky Rules
High Point requires any outdoor fixture producing more than 4,050 lumens to be a cut-off type that's located, angled, or shielded so light stays on the intended area instead of spilling skyward or onto neighbors.
Key details: Threshold: Over 4,050 lumens. Requirement: Cut-off, angled, or shielded. Goal: No skyward or trespass spill. Authority: Development Ordinance § 5.10.6.C.1.
An uncapped floodlight or unshielded pole fixture above 4,050 lumens on a covered site fails the standard and gets flagged during site plan or building-permit review.
Light Trespass & Shielding
High Point requires cut-off fixtures on any outdoor light producing more than 4,050 lumens, the threshold Development Ordinance Section 5.10.6.C sets to stop light trespass onto neighboring property. Fixtures above that output must be located, angled, or shielded to keep light on the intended area and off adjacent lots or the night sky, and wall packs and floodlights must always be cut-off or shielded.
Key details: Cutoff trigger: Fixtures over 4,050 lumens. Max lot-line illumination, residential: 1.0 footcandle. Max lot-line illumination, commercial: 2.5 footcandles. Max fixture height: 35 feet (45 ft limited cases). Wall packs: Must always be cut-off.
An unshielded fixture over 4,050 lumens, or a wall pack or floodlight that is not cut-off, is a Development Ordinance violation under Section 9.3.4, Use in Violation. The Planning and Development Director can require the fixture be replaced or re-aimed and assess civil penalties starting at $50 for a first violation, escalating under Section 9.9.5 to $500 per day for a fourth or later violation until the light trespass is corrected.
The Bottom Line
High Point'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 High Point is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that High Point can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.