Light Trespass: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do light trespass rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
San Mateo has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Unincorporated San Mateo County regulates outdoor lighting through Zoning Regulations Chapter 22.5 (Dark Sky) and Building Regulations. Exterior lighting must be shielded, downward-directed, and limited to 0.5 foot-candles at residential property lines. Coastal zone and rural areas (La Honda, Pescadero, Skyline) have stricter dark-sky rules.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo addresses light trespass through zoning development standards and nuisance provisions. New development must shield exterior lighting. Existing light trespass complaints are handled by Code Enforcement on a case-by-case basis.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Property Line | 0.5 fc residential max | - |
| Coastal/Rural | 0.1 fc stricter limit | - |
| Shielding | Full-cutoff required | - |
| Enforcement | Planning & Building Dept | Code Enforcement — 650-522-7200 |
| Code | Zoning Regs §6405.2 | - |
| Regulation | - | Nuisance-based enforcement |
| New Development | - | Shielded lighting required |
| Security Lights | - | Aim to avoid neighbor impact |
| Standard | - | No specific lux/footcandle limit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Who enforces light trespass rules in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County's code enforcement division is responsible for outdoor lighting ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the San Mateo County government website or by calling the main municipal line.
What are typical penalties for violating light trespass rules?
Most San Mateo County outdoor lighting violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult San Mateo County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.
San Mateo FAQ
My neighbor's light shines into my bedroom. What can I do?
File a complaint with Code Enforcement at 650-522-7200. Light trespass creating a nuisance can be addressed, and the city may require the neighbor to modify their lighting.
Are there specific brightness limits?
No. San Mateo does not have specific lux or footcandle limits for light trespass. Enforcement is based on whether the lighting creates an unreasonable nuisance.
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