West Jordan's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In West Jordan, Utah, 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.

Dark Sky Rules

West Jordan requires every parking lot light to be shielded and aimed away from adjoining properties, capping spill at one foot-candle at the property line under City Code section 13-12-7(E). Pole height tops out at 15 feet within 150 feet of a residential district, 25 feet elsewhere, and 42 feet only in the SC-2 and SC-3 commercial zones.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 13-12-7(E), Design Standards. Max light spill: 1 foot-candle at the property line. Pole height near homes: 15 feet within 150 feet of residential. Pole height elsewhere: 25 feet; up to 42 feet in SC-2/SC-3. Overlay districts: TSOD and IOZ separately require dark sky compliant fixtures.

Because Title 13 does not set a separate penalty for lighting violations, code enforcement falls back on West Jordan's default rule at section 1-14B-1(A): conduct made unlawful under this Code, with no punishment otherwise stated, is a Class B misdemeanor. Under section 1-14B-1(C), a corporation or other business entity convicted faces a fine of up to $5,000 per Class B misdemeanor, and the city can pursue further code enforcement action to require re-shielding or replacement of noncompliant fixtures.

Light Trespass & Shielding

West Jordan's Planned Community Hillside (PCH) Zone requires all site lighting to be shielded against up-lighting and light trespass onto neighboring property. City Code section 13-5L-7(J) also caps streetlight spacing at seventy-five feet per fixture and requires lighting design to meet Illumination Engineering Society minimum standards for hillside developments approved under a Master Development Agreement.

Key details: Applicable zone: Planned Community Hillside (PCH) Zone, Article L. Core rule: Lighting shielded against up-lighting and light trespass. Streetlight spacing: Max 75 feet per fixture. Design standard: Illumination Engineering Society minimum standards. Governing section: City Code § 13-5L-7(J).

A PCH development that installs unshielded lighting causing up-lighting or light trespass is a Title 13 violation. Under section 13-4-5 it is unlawful to fail to comply with a condition imposed by the development services department, zoning administrator, or planning commission, and section 13-4-11 makes each day of noncompliance a separate Class C misdemeanor, enforceable administratively under title 16 or as a criminal citation. Section 13-4-6 additionally declares any title 13 violation a public nuisance.

Billboard Lighting

West Jordan caps how bright a digital billboard can shine under City Code section 12-3-3(D)(13), limiting illuminance to three-tenths of a foot-candle above ambient light at a distance tied to the sign's face area. Every digital billboard must carry an automatic dimmer that tracks ambient light, and none may operate between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 300 feet of a residential zone.

Key details: Illuminance cap: 0.3 foot-candle above ambient light. Dimmer: Automatic dimmer control required. Curfew: No operation 10 PM to 7 AM near homes. Curfew radius: Within 300 feet of a residential zone. Certification: Written compliance certification within 10 days.

A digital billboard operating above the 0.3 foot-candle illuminance ceiling, running without a functioning automatic dimmer, or lit past 10:00 p.m. within 300 feet of a residential zone is out of compliance with section 12-3-3(D)(13) and can be required to correct the problem within 10 calendar days of written notice from the city. The city may also engage outside experts to measure a sign's illuminance and bill the owner for that cost, and any billboard that does not conform to these standards is itself declared prohibited under subsection D(13)(m).

Compared to other cities, West Jordan takes a harder line on billboard lighting. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

West Jordan'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 West Jordan is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects West Jordan's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.