Light Trespass: Brentwood vs El Cerrito
How do light trespass rules compare between Brentwood, CA and El Cerrito, CA?
Brentwood and El Cerrito have similar restriction levels.
Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa County
Brentwood's code prohibits outdoor lighting that produces excessive glare or spills onto neighboring properties at levels high enough to disturb use and enjoyment. Typical standards limit residential property-line illuminance to about 0.1 foot-candles and require shielded fixtures for bright sources.
View full Brentwood rules →El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
Light trespass and glare onto adjacent properties in unincorporated Contra Costa County is prohibited under Ordinance Code Title 8 nuisance and zoning provisions. Commercial and multi-family projects must meet foot-candle limits at property lines through CEQA lighting review.
View full El Cerrito rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Brentwood | El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Property-line standard | - | ~0.5 fc onto residential parcels (typical) |
| Governing code | - | Ord. Code Title 8 + Ch. 14-6 nuisance |
| CEQA review | - | Photometric plan required for new development |
| Enforcement | - | DCD Code Enforcement |
| Security lighting | - | Allowed if shielded and not a nuisance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Brentwood FAQ
El Cerrito FAQ
My neighbor's light shines into my window — is that illegal?
Unshielded lighting that creates a nuisance on adjacent property can be a code violation. CCC Code Enforcement can investigate and require the light to be shielded, redirected, or dimmed.
How bright can a commercial property light its parking lot?
Commercial lighting must be shielded and typically limited to around 0.5 foot-candles at the property line when adjacent to residential uses. Photometric plans are reviewed at the permit stage.
Compare other topics
See how Brentwood and El Cerrito 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