Light Trespass: Apex vs Cary
How do light trespass rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Apex and Cary have similar restriction levels.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Wake County UDO §7-72 limits light trespass onto adjacent residential properties — typically 0.3 footcandles at the residential property line. Persistent trespass into a neighbor's bedroom window can also be addressed as a private nuisance under NC common law.
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
Wake County UDO §7-72 limits light trespass onto adjacent residential properties — typically 0.3 footcandles at the residential property line. Persistent trespass into a neighbor's bedroom window can also be addressed as a private nuisance under NC common law.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Property line limit | 0.3 footcandles | 0.3 footcandles |
| Residential trespass | Civil only | Civil only |
| Enforcement | Zoning (non-residential) | Zoning (non-residential) |
| Code | UDO §7-72 | UDO §7-72 |
| Mediation | Recommended first | Recommended first |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
My neighbor's floodlight shines in my bedroom — what can I do?
Wake County does not enforce residential-to-residential light trespass. Try mediation, HOA, or private nuisance suit.
What's the legal threshold?
For commercial sites under UDO §7-72, the standard is typically 0.3 footcandles at a residential property line — about the brightness of moonlight.
Do HOAs handle this?
Many HOAs do, under architectural-review rules. Check your CCRs before filing a complaint with the HOA board.
Cary FAQ
My neighbor's floodlight shines in my bedroom — what can I do?
Wake County does not enforce residential-to-residential light trespass. Try mediation, HOA, or private nuisance suit.
What's the legal threshold?
For commercial sites under UDO §7-72, the standard is typically 0.3 footcandles at a residential property line — about the brightness of moonlight.
Do HOAs handle this?
Many HOAs do, under architectural-review rules. Check your CCRs before filing a complaint with the HOA board.
Compare other topics
See how Apex and Cary compare on other ordinance categories.
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