Light Trespass: Martinez vs Richmond

Martinez regulates exterior residential lighting to prevent glare, light trespass, and excessive illumination onto neighboring properties. Exterior fixtures should be shielded and directed downward; overly bright security lighting or unshielded floodlights that spill onto adjacent lots may constitute a nuisance subject to code enforcement.

Richmond prohibits light glare and spillover that creates a nuisance to neighboring properties, typically limiting illumination at residential property lines to 0.5 foot-candles measured at ground level.