Antioch, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Glare and light spillover (light trespass) from outdoor fixtures onto adjacent properties is regulated in Antioch through a combination of Antioch Municipal Code Title 9 (Planning and Zoning) development standards for new and modified commercial/multifamily projects, California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 Part 6) BUG (Backlight-Uplight-Glare) rating requirements, and general nuisance provisions under AMC Chapter 5-17 and California Civil Code 3479. For commercial and industrial projects approved under AMC Title 9, conditions of approval typically limit light spillover to 0.1 footcandle at residential property lines and 0.5 footcandle at commercial property lines, measured at 5 feet above grade. Fixtures must be full-cutoff (no light emitted above the horizontal plane of the luminaire) and aimed such that no direct source is visible from beyond the property line. Building walls within 20 feet of residential zones often require additional shielding on wall packs. Sports facilities (fields, courts) have site-specific lighting plans with shut-off times (often 10 p.m.) and specular glare analysis. For residential situations, direct statutes on glare are limited, but a persistent glaring fixture aimed at a neighbor's bedroom window can be a private nuisance under Civil Code 3479 and enforceable through Antioch Code Enforcement under AMC 5-17. Solutions include adding a shield, redirecting the fixture, using motion sensors, or installing lower-output bulbs. New residential construction in Antioch is subject to Title 24 Part 6 outdoor lighting allowances and controls. Complaints can be filed with Code Enforcement at (925) 779-7042.