Outdoor Lighting in El Cajon, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for El Cajon, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Light Trespass & Shielding
El Cajon bans light trespass outright: Municipal Code § 17.130.150 says lighting on one property may never create a nuisance on any other property, regardless of use or zone. Multi-family, commercial and industrial projects must also submit an on-site lighting plan before the city issues a building permit.
El Cajon On-Site Lighting Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsEl Cajon Municipal Code § 17.130.150
§ 17.130.150. On-site lighting. All developments except detached single-family residences shall provide adequate lighting for pedestrian and vehicular safety and be sufficient to minimize security problems. However, in no case shall lighting on one property create a nuisance on any other property. An on-site lighting plan for all parking areas, pedestrian walkways and common open space/recreati...
Billboard Lighting
El Cajon's citywide sign illumination standard, Municipal Code Section 17.190.100, caps frosted incandescent sign lamps at 15 watts, or 0.5 candlepower measured from ten feet away, and requires exterior lighting to shine only on the sign face, not onto neighboring property. The rule applies to every permitted sign in the chapter, including off-premises billboards approved under the sign overlay zone.
El Cajon Sign & Billboard Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsEl Cajon Municipal Code § 17.190.100
Permitted signs may be illuminated as follows: A. By interior means; B. By exterior means, provided such light illuminates only the sign and does not shine directly upon other property, either public or private; C. By frosted incandescent lamps, provided no single lamp exceeds fifteen watts capacity or does not exceed 0.5 candlepower at ten feet distance from sign.
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Cajon city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in San Diego County →