Dark Sky Rules: Apex vs Raleigh
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Apex, NC and Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh 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 →Raleigh, NC
Wake County
Raleigh regulates outdoor lighting through UDO Article 7.2 to minimize light pollution, glare, and sky glow. New development and redevelopment must comply with outdoor lighting standards that include maximum illumination levels at property boundaries, full cutoff fixture requirements in many zones, and limits on mounting height. While Raleigh is not designated as a dark-sky community, the UDO's standards promote responsible outdoor lighting practices.
View full Raleigh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Full cutoff required in many applications |
| 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 Reference | - | UDO Article 7.2 — Outdoor Lighting |
| Property Line Max | - | Limits on footcandles at property boundaries |
| Height Limits | - | Maximum mounting heights by zone |
| Dark-Sky Status | - | Not a designated dark-sky community |
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.
Raleigh FAQ
Does Raleigh have dark-sky lighting requirements?
Raleigh's UDO includes outdoor lighting standards that limit glare and sky glow, including full cutoff fixture requirements and maximum illumination at property boundaries. However, Raleigh is not a certified dark-sky community.
Do these lighting rules apply to residential properties?
The UDO lighting standards primarily apply to new commercial and multi-family development. Single-family residential properties are generally not required to meet these standards unless part of a new subdivision plan.
Compare other topics
See how Apex and Raleigh compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool