Outdoor Lighting in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, no light source within 200 feet of a dwelling or residential district can sit higher than 25 feet above average ground level, and all light sources, including signs, must be diffused and shielded. The rules are in zoning Code § 7-331.9(B), (D) and (E).
Outdoor Lighting Height and Shielding Rules in Harrisburg, PA
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-331.9
B. No luminaire, spotlight, or other light source that is within 200 feet of a dwelling or residential district shall be placed at a height exceeding 25 feet above the average surrounding ground level. This limitation shall not apply to lights needed for air safety nor lights intended solely to illuminate an architectural feature of a building or to light a publicly owned recreation facility. ....
Light Trespass & Shielding
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, an exterior light source cannot cause light spillover onto residential properties above 0.5 horizontal footcandle, measured at the property line on the ground surface with a hand-held NIST-certified light meter. The limit is in zoning Code § 7-331.9(C), and City or state streetlighting is excluded.
Light Trespass Limit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-331.9
A. This section shall not apply to streetlighting that is owned, financed, or maintained by the City or the state. ... C. Any exterior light source shall not cause light spillover onto residential properties in excess of 0.5 horizontal footcandle when measured by a hand-held NIST-certified light meter at the property line on the ground surface. ... G. The Zoning Officer may require a lighting s...
Billboard Lighting
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a billboard can have direct or indirect lighting but not internal illumination or electronically changing signage. Under § 7-331.9, light spillover onto residential properties is capped at 0.5 horizontal footcandle at the property line, and flashing, flickering and strobe lighting are prohibited.
Harrisburg PA Billboard Lighting and Sign Glare Limits
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-331.9
C. Any exterior light source shall not cause light spillover onto residential properties in excess of 0.5 horizontal footcandle when measured by a hand-held NIST-certified light meter at the property line on the ground surface. D. All light sources, including signs, shall be properly diffused as needed with a translucent or similar cover to prevent the lighting element from being directly visib...