Plano's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Plano, Texas, there are 3 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.

Billboard Lighting

Off-site advertising displays and billboards in Plano can only run their lights from dusk to 11:00 p.m. under Sec. 6-474(h)(2), unless the fixture is fully shielded and points downward from the horizontal plane, in which case the hour cutoff doesn't apply.

Key details: Off-site billboard lighting hours: dusk to 11:00 p.m. (§6-474(h)(2)). Exception to the hour cutoff: fully shielded, downward-pointing fixtures. Mounting rule: devices mounted on top, pointing down (§6-474(b)). Internally lit translucent signs: exempt from shielding rule (§6-474(g)). First-offense penalty: up to $2,000/day (§6-477(a)).

A billboard or off-site display lit past 11:00 p.m. without full shielding and downward-pointed fixtures violates Sec. 6-474(h)(2), enforced by the city manager or designee under Sec. 6-476. Sec. 6-477(a) fines a first offense up to $2,000, with each day a separate offense, and repeat convictions within three years carry minimum fines of $500 and $1,000.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Plano treats outdoor security lighting as "Class II" lighting under Sec. 6-466, and Table 3 in Sec. 6-469(a)(1) requires those fixtures, LPS, HPS, metal halide, and LED lamps alike, to be fully shielded, while Sec. 6-474(f) bars aiming a floodlight so its beam hits a viewer's eye at the property line.

Key details: Security lighting category: "Class II lighting" (§6-466). Required shielding: fully shielded for LPS/HPS/metal halide/LED (Table 3). Mercury vapor lamps: prohibited outright for Class II (Table 3). Aiming limit: beam can't hit a viewer's eye at property line (§6-474(f)). Operating hours: permitted anytime (§6-474(i)).

An unshielded or improperly aimed security light that exceeds Table 3's Class II shielding standard or the Sec. 6-474(f) aiming rule is presumed a light nuisance under Sec. 6-469(a), exposing the owner to the Sec. 6-468 offense and a Sec. 6-477 fine up to $2,000 for a first violation, with minimum fines of $500 and $1,000 for repeat convictions within three years.

Dark Sky Rules

Plano caps how much light can spill onto neighboring property to control sky glow: Sec. 6-474(d) ties outdoor fixtures to the footcandle and luminance tables in Sec. 6-469(a)(1), which range from 0.25 footcandles at single-family lot lines up to 5.0 footcandles in light-industrial districts.

Key details: Sky glow standard: must conform to §6-469(a)(1) (§6-474(d)). Single-family lot-line limit: 0.25 footcandles horizontal/vertical (Table 1). Light-industrial lot-line limit: 5.0 footcandles (Table 1). Single-family luminance limit: 0.02 (Table 2). Measurement method allowed: computed via Illuminating Engineering Society method (§6-472).

Exceeding the footcandle or luminance limits at a neighboring property line creates a legal presumption of a light nuisance under Sec. 6-469(a), which triggers the offense in Sec. 6-468 and the Sec. 6-477 penalty schedule: up to $2,000 for a first violation, with escalating minimum fines of $500 and $1,000 for repeat convictions within three years, enforced by the city manager or designee.

The Bottom Line

Plano'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 Plano is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Plano's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.