Outdoor Lighting in San Jose, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Light Trespass & Shielding
Commercial and public/quasi-public lighting next to residential property must be shielded so light reflects away from the residence and causes no glare or unreasonable annoyance.
San Jose Lighting Must Not Glare on Homes
Some RestrictionsSan Jose Municipal Code § 20.40.540
Any and all lighting facilities hereafter erected, constructed, or used in connection with any use conducted on any property situate adjacent to a site or lot used for residential purposes shall be arranged and shielded that all light will be reflected away from any residential use so that there will be no glare which will cause unreasonable annoyance to occupants of such property, or otherwise...
Billboard Lighting
San Jose limits billboard illumination to continuous, non-flashing lighting under Municipal Code § 23.04.450(F), and caps light-source appendages at eight linear feet from the billboard's wall mount or freestanding message surface.
San Jose Billboard Illumination Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Jose Municipal Code § 23.04.450(F)
Billboards may be illuminated by continuous lighting. Their light source shall not have appendages which protrude more than eight linear feet from the wall on which the billboard is mounted or from the message surface of a freestanding billboard.G.Setback. Freestanding billboards shall be set back from abutting streets in accordance with the most stringent of the following requirements:1.The se...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Santa Clara County →