Wake County UDO §7-72 limits light trespass onto adjacent residential properties — typically 0.3 footcandles at the residential property line. Persistent trespass into a neighbor's bedroom window can also be addressed as a private nuisance under NC common law.
The UDO performance standard for non-residential uses sets a measurable maximum illuminance at residential property lines (commonly 0.3 fc). For residential-to-residential trespass — a bright porch light shining into a bedroom — Wake County does not provide formal enforcement, but NC common-law nuisance applies and the affected neighbor can seek injunctive relief. Wake County Planning recommends mediation first. The Sheriff's Office will not respond to lighting complaints; the path is private suit or HOA enforcement.
Commercial: civil penalty under UDO Art. 22 plus shielding order. Residential vs. residential: no county enforcement; civil suit possible.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Apex, NC
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Apex, NC
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Apex, NC
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Apex, NC
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Apex, NC
Apex Town Code Chapter 13, Article IV (Sec. 13-60 through 13-69.5), adopted by Ordinance 2019-0305-02, requires every Mobile Food Vendor and Transient Food V...
Apex, NC
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See how Apex's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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