Leander's zoning ordinance (Article VI, Section 12) sets Dark Sky-compliant outdoor lighting standards. All permanent exterior lighting must be non-flashing and shielded so the light source is not visible from the public right-of-way or adjacent residential uses at the property line. Site lighting may not exceed 2 foot-candles measured at 3 feet at the property line.
The City of Leander Composite Zoning Ordinance, Article VI, Section 12 ('Outdoor Lighting'), opens by stating its purpose is 'to provide design standards for site and building lighting that are Dark Sky compliant and compatible with adjacent uses.' For non-residential development, a detailed lighting plan and photometric plan must accompany the building permit application. The fixture standard requires that 'All permanent exterior lighting shall be non-flashing and shielded such that the light source (cone of direct light) is not visible from the public ROW or adjacent residential uses at the property line,' and it prohibits wall-pack or other lighting that directs light horizontally without an adequate shield where streets or residential uses lie in the direction of the light. The ordinance sets a numeric cap on spillover: 'All site lighting shall be designed and installed so that the level of illumination as measured in foot candles at a height of three (3') feet at the property line does not exceed two (2') foot candles.' For residential property, the ordinance is lighter-touch: residential outdoor lighting must be installed per applicable City Code standards and 'located so as not to create a nuisance for adjoining property owners.' Leander's City Council has separately pursued recognition as an International Dark Sky community, reinforcing the city's dark-sky goals.
Installing exterior lighting that flashes, leaves the light source visible from the right-of-way or a neighboring residential property line, uses unshielded horizontal wall-pack lighting toward streets or homes, or exceeds 2 foot-candles at the property line can result in lighting-plan rejection and code enforcement.
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