2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia.
Verified from official government sources
DC outdoor lighting is regulated by the DC Energy Conservation Code (12-I DCMR based on IECC) and the DC Public Space Lighting Standards. Exterior lighting must use shielded fixtures, LED 3000K or below is preferred, and commercial properties must not exceed specified foot-candle levels at property lines. DC is not officially dark-sky certified, but DDOT has converted public street lighting to shielded LEDs.
DC light trespass complaints are handled through DOB Property Maintenance under DCMR 14-802 (nuisance) and DC Code 22-1321 (nuisance/disorderly). Residential fixtures aimed or shielded improperly so that illumination falls on neighboring property can be cited as a private nuisance. Commercial lighting must meet specific property-line lumen limits under the Energy Code. Complaints are filed via 311.
1 cities in District of Columbia have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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