Outdoor Lighting
Dark sky ordinances, light trespass rules, and security lighting regulations.
Light becomes a code violation when it leaves the property. Trespass rules require fixtures shielded and aimed so direct rays stay on the lot that produces them; stricter codes put a measurable footcandle cap at the property line, which turns a complaint into something an inspector can verify with a meter instead of a judgment call.
A smaller set of cities goes further for the sky itself, mandating full-cutoff fixtures and capping total output. Holiday lighting is almost always exempt, and the streetlights belong to the city, outside these rules entirely.
All 50 States: Outdoor Lighting at the State Level
Each tile shows the strongest state-level rule for that state. Click a state to see its full statewide rules and how local cities are constrained.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
What's Covered
Dark Sky Rules
Ordinances designed to reduce light pollution, including requirements for shielded fixtures, limits on brightness, and curfews for decorative lighting.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Rules preventing outdoor lights from shining onto neighboring homes, shielding and full-cutoff fixture requirements, aiming standards, and footcandle caps at the property line.
Billboard Lighting
Lighting standards for outdoor advertising, luminance limits, dwell time, sky-glow mitigation, and curfew hours after which billboards must dim or shut off.