Columbus, OH Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max fixture height
- 28 ft, commercial/institutional
- Near homes
- 18 ft within 100 ft of residential
- Shielding required
- fully shielded, recessed, downward-directed
- Globe fixtures
- 14 ft max, shielded
- Applies under
- Title 33 zoning districts only
Summary
Columbus requires commercial, institutional, and manufacturing site lighting to use fully shielded, recessed fixtures aimed downward, with fixture heights capped at 28 feet, or 18 feet within 100 feet of a residential property, to stop glare and upward light spill.
Lighting shall conform to the following standards.
A.Site lighting in commercial and institutional districts:1.Light fixtures shall not exceed 28 feet in height.2.Light fixtures located within 100 feet of a residentially zoned property shall not exceed 18 feet in height.3.Lights shall have fully shielded, recessed lamps directed away from abutting properties and directed downward to prevent glare and shine above the horizontal plane.4.Canopy lighting shall be recessed within the canopy or use an opaque shield around the sides of the light.5.Globe style fixtures shall be shielded to prevent upward lighting and shall not exceed 14 feet.B.Site lighting in manufacturing districts:1.Light fixtures located within 100 feet of a residentially zoned property shall not exceed 18 feet in height.2.Lights shall have fully shielded, recessed lamps directed away from abutting properties and directed downward to prevent glare and shine above the horizontal plane.C.Parking lot lighting:1.Any parking lot containing ten or more parking spaces, which is used during non-daylight hours, shall be illuminated during such hours to assist both motorists and pedestrians in avoiding accidents.2.For aesthetic compatibility, light fixtures in parking lots shall be of the same or similar type and color.3.Light fixtures shall be placed in parking lot islands or solid bases to protect both lights and vehicles from possible damage.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Form Based Code: ?).
Full Breakdown
Columbus City Codes § 3321.03 sets site-lighting standards for commercial, institutional, and manufacturing zoning districts: light fixtures cannot exceed 28 feet, drop to an 18-foot cap within 100 feet of residentially zoned land, and must use fully shielded, recessed lamps directed downward and away from abutting properties so no glare or upward shine crosses the horizontal plane. Canopy lighting must be recessed or shielded on the sides, and globe fixtures are capped at 14 feet and must be shielded against uplighting. This is a Title 33 zoning standard reviewed at zoning clearance and site plan review, not a residential porch-light rule.
Violations & Fines
Unshielded, glare-producing, or oversized fixtures can stall zoning clearance and site plan approval; Department of Building and Zoning Services staff can require fixture changes before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover my house's porch or yard light?
Does this apply everywhere in Columbus?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbus
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