Outdoor Lighting in Anne Arundel County, MD (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Anne Arundel County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

Anne Arundel County requires nonresidential outdoor lights to sit at least 25 feet from residential district boundaries, and residential fixtures to point downward and away from neighboring lots, with motion sensors mandated for security lighting.

Anne Arundel County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules

Some Restrictions

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-3-201

Outdoor light fixtures in nonresidential zoning districts shall be located at least 25 feet from the boundary of any residential district... Outdoor light fixtures installed on a residentially zoned lot shall be: (1) arranged to direct the light down towards the property on which the light fixture is located and away from adjoining residential lots or aimed to confine the light to an object, su...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Anne Arundel County requires outdoor lights near residential districts to be set back or shielded, with a 25-foot buffer for nonresidential fixtures and downward-directed, motion-sensing lights on residential lots.

Anne Arundel County Outdoor Lighting Rules

Some Restrictions

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-3-201

Outdoor light fixtures in nonresidential zoning districts shall be located at least 25 feet from the boundary of any residential district... Outdoor light fixtures installed on a residentially zoned lot shall be: (1) arranged to direct the light down towards the property on which the light fixture is located and away from adjoining residential lots or aimed to confine the light to an object, su...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Lighting by City in Anne Arundel County

1 cities in Anne Arundel County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

AnnapolisPop. 40,812

2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding

All Anne Arundel County ordinances

See every category we cover for Anne Arundel County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Anne Arundel County Ordinance Hub →