Dark Sky Rules: Apex vs Cary
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Cary has fewer restrictions than Apex.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Outdoor lighting in Apex is governed by Sec. 8.6 (Exterior Lighting) of the Apex Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), administered by the Town of Apex Planning Department. Sec. 8.6.4(D) limits maximum spillover light measured in initial foot-candles at the property line to 0.3 onto adjacent residential sites and 1.0 onto adjacent non-residential sites and public rights-of-way. All fixtures shall be fully shielded full-cutoff type fixtures with a concealed lamp/light source. Sec. 8.6.3(B) caps correlated color temperature (CCT) at 3,500 Kelvins (athletic field lighting exempt). Sec. 8.6.4(A) caps mounting height at 35 feet above grade for full-cutoff fixtures. Sec. 8.6.4(B)(1) requires fixtures be located at least 10 feet from any property or right-of-way line. Sec. 8.6.4(E) caps pole-mounted lamp output at 15,500 lumens; building-mounted lights at 2,500 lumens. Sec. 8.6.4(F)(5) prohibits flashing, moving, rotating, scintillating, blinking, flickering, or intermittent lighting and continuous roofline/edge tube/string lighting. North Carolina has no state dark-sky statute, and Apex is not listed on DarkSky International's roster of certified dark-sky communities; the nearest International Dark Sky Park is Mayland Earth to Sky Park (Yancey County, 2014 designation).
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
Wake County UDO Article 7-72 sets outdoor-lighting performance standards: fixtures must be full-cutoff or shielded so that no light is emitted above the horizontal plane, lumens-per-acre caps apply by district, and pole heights are capped by zoning category.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Code Cite | Apex UDO Sec. 8.6 (Exterior Lighting) | - |
| Residential Property-Line Cap | 0.3 initial foot-candles (Sec. 8.6.4.D.1) | - |
| Non-Residential/ROW Cap | 1.0 initial foot-candles | - |
| Max Color Temperature | 3,500 K (athletic fields exempt) | - |
| Max Mounting Height | 35 ft full-cutoff / 80 ft sports fields | - |
| Fixture Type | Fully shielded full-cutoff required | - |
| Max Pole Lumens | 15,500 (pole) / 2,500 (building-mounted) | - |
| DarkSky Certified? | No - NC has no state dark-sky law; Apex not on IDA roster | - |
| Code section | - | UDO §7-72 |
| Fixture type | - | Full-cutoff required |
| Pole height | - | 16-35 ft by district |
| Lights Out season | - | Mar-May, Aug-Oct |
| Spillover | - | Capped to neighbor |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
Does Apex NC have a dark-sky outdoor lighting ordinance?
Apex has not adopted a stand-alone DarkSky-certified ordinance and is not listed on DarkSky International's roster of certified communities. However, the Apex Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 8.6 imposes substantial dark-sky-style controls: maximum spillover at residential property lines is 0.3 initial foot-candles (1.0 fc onto non-residential or rights-of-way), all fixtures must be fully shielded full-cutoff with concealed lamp source, CCT cannot exceed 3,500 Kelvins (athletic fields exempt), pole mounting height is capped at 35 ft, and pole-mounted lamps are capped at 15,500 lumens (2,500 for building-mounted).
How bright can a commercial parking lot be in Apex?
Under Apex UDO Sec. 8.6.3, initial average foot-candle limits at grade vary by use: Multi-family residential parking 4.0 fc (uniformity ratio 8:1); Retail 4.0 fc (4:1); Office 2.0 fc (4:1); Vital locations such as entries and ATMs 5.0 fc; Loading docks 15.0 fc; General recreational areas 10.0 fc. Maximum spillover at the property line is 0.3 fc onto residential and 1.0 fc onto non-residential or rights-of-way. CCT must not exceed 3,500 K. Pole height ≤ 35 ft, lamp ≤ 15,500 lumens, fully shielded full-cutoff only.
What can I do about a bright LED commercial light shining onto my Apex home?
If the offending light is at a commercial, multi-family, mixed-use, or institutional site, file a complaint with the Apex Planning Department (Town Hall 919-249-3400) referencing UDO Sec. 8.6.4(D), which caps spillover at 0.3 initial foot-candles at a residential property line and requires fully shielded full-cutoff fixtures. Apex Code Enforcement can cite violations after Certificate of Occupancy. Single-family residential exterior lights are not subject to the engineered foot-candle limits in Sec. 8.6 but can be addressed as a general nuisance.
Cary FAQ
Can I install a bright security light on my house?
Yes, but the fixture must be shielded so light doesn't spill onto neighbors. Wake's UDO standards apply to fixtures over 1,800 lumens / ~150 watts equivalent.
Is there a residential curfew?
No required curfew, but Wake Audubon recommends dimming lights during migration for bird safety.
Do these rules apply to single-family homes?
Site lighting on residential lots is generally exempt unless the fixture creates a documented nuisance for neighbors.
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