Outdoor Lighting in Montgomery County, MD (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Montgomery County's zoning ordinance requires every new or replaced outdoor lighting fixture to be a full or partial cutoff type that directs light downward, capping on-site illumination at 0.5 footcandles at the lot line.
Montgomery County Outdoor Lighting Cutoff Rules
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code, Ch. 59 (Zoning Ordinance), § 59.6.4.4.B.1, D
1. Fixture (Luminaire) To direct light downward and minimize the amount of light spill, any outdoor lighting fixture must be a full or partial cutoff fixture. ... D. Excessive Illumination Except where otherwise stated in this Chapter, on-site illumination must be 0.5 footcandles or less at the lot line, excluding street lights within the right-of-way.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Montgomery County caps on-site outdoor lighting at 0.5 footcandles measured at the property line under the Zoning Ordinance, with a stricter 0.1 footcandle cap next to detached houses for approved conditional uses.
Montgomery County Outdoor Light Trespass Limit
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code, Ch. 59 (Zoning Ordinance), § 59.6.4.4.D
Except where otherwise stated in this Chapter, on-site illumination must be 0.5 footcandles or less at the lot line, excluding street lights within the right-of-way.
Outdoor Lighting by City in Montgomery County
2 cities in Montgomery County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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