Outdoor Lighting in Columbus, OH (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Columbus, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Columbus requires commercial, institutional, and manufacturing site lighting to use fully shielded, recessed fixtures aimed downward, with fixture heights capped at 28 feet, or 18 feet within 100 feet of a residential property, to stop glare and upward light spill.
Columbus Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbus City Codes § 3321.03
Lighting shall conform to the following standards. A.Site lighting in commercial and institutional districts:1.Light fixtures shall not exceed 28 feet in height.2.Light fixtures located within 100 feet of a residentially zoned property shall not exceed 18 feet in height.3.Lights shall have fully shielded, recessed lamps directed away from abutting properties and directed downward to prevent ...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Columbus requires commercial, institutional, and manufacturing site lighting to use fully shielded, recessed fixtures aimed downward and away from neighboring properties, with height caps up to 28 feet under the Title 33 zoning code.
Columbus Security Light Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbus City Codes § 3321.03
A.Site lighting in commercial and institutional districts:1.Light fixtures shall not exceed 28 feet in height.2.Light fixtures located within 100 feet of a residentially zoned property shall not exceed 18 feet in height.3.Lights shall have fully shielded, recessed lamps directed away from abutting properties and directed downward to prevent glare and shine above the horizontal plane.4.Canopy li...
Billboard Lighting
Columbus limits billboard illumination near homes and institutions to 6 a.m.-11 p.m., allows 24-hour lighting farther away, and caps automatic changeable copy brightness at 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light.
Columbus Billboard Illumination Hours
Some RestrictionsColumbus City Codes § 3378.06
A. For billboards located no more than 500 feet from a residential use or institutional district, the following limitations shall apply: 1. Illumination of a billboard shall be limited to the hours between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. ... B. Where a billboard is located more than 500 feet from a residential use or institutional district, illumination and special effects in compliance with the provi...
Looking for Franklin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbus city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Franklin County →