Title 22.140.385 of the LA County Code exempts seasonal holiday lighting from outdoor-lighting brightness, shielding, and dark-sky rules between November 1 and January 15 each year, provided the displays do not create traffic hazards or unreasonable glare.
Title 22.140.385(F) carves out a seasonal exemption for temporary holiday and decorative lighting strung from November 1 through January 15. During that window, residents and businesses in unincorporated LA County may install incandescent or LED string lights, illuminated lawn ornaments, and roof outlines without meeting the standard 0.5 foot-candle property-line cap or full-cutoff shielding rules. The exemption does not waive electrical permit requirements for new permanent circuits, hardwired displays exceeding 600 watts, or fire-code clearance from chimneys and combustibles in Title 32. Displays causing traffic hazards from glare onto adjacent streets remain subject to Sheriff and Code Enforcement intervention. Contract cities follow their own holiday provisions.
Holiday displays remaining lit past January 15 lose the exemption and face standard Title 22.140.385 light-trespass citations. Hardwired installations exceeding 600 watts without electrical permits trigger Building and Safety stop-work orders and fines.
Torrance, CA
Torrance has no specific dark-sky ordinance. General nuisance provisions apply to excessive light. CA Title 24 energy code governs outdoor lighting efficiency.
Torrance, CA
Holiday displays on residential property are generally permitted. Temporary decorations do not require permits. Light displays must not create traffic hazards.
Torrance, CA
Outdoor lighting that causes glare or disturbance to neighboring properties can be addressed through nuisance code enforcement. No specific lux/footcandle li...
See how Torrance's holiday lighting rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.