Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Outdoor Lighting in Topeka, KS (2026)

2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Topeka, Kansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Light Trespass & Shielding

Topeka caps off-street parking lot lighting at three foot-candles measured at the property line and requires fixtures to point away from homes and streets, so glare can't legally cross onto a neighbor's land.

Topeka Parking Lot Light Trespass Cap

Some Restrictions

Topeka Municipal Code § 18.240.020(b)(6)

Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking facilities shall be directed away from residential properties and public streets in such a way as not to create a nuisance. However, in no case shall such lighting exceed three foot-candles measured at the lot line. (7) Drainage. All stormwater runoff shall be collected, transported and disposed of in a manner as approved by the City Engin...

Billboard Lighting

Topeka requires electronic billboard displays to hold each message at least eight seconds with no flashing or scrolling, and to meet the city brightness cap, though the usual 50 percent sign-area illumination limit is waived for billboards.

Topeka Billboard EMC Lighting Standards

Some Restrictions

Topeka Municipal Code § 18.10.180(b)(5)

(5) Electronic Message Center Signs. Each EMC sign located on a billboard or panel poster shall meet all of the following requirements: (i) The sign does not contain or display flashing, intermittent or moving lights, including animated or scrolling advertising. (ii) Messages shall have a minimum dwell time of eight seconds and a transition time between messages of two seconds or less. ... (v) ...