Arcadia, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

The City of Arcadia, California states the purpose of § 9103.01.120 (Exterior Lighting) as balancing safety and security lighting against adverse light trespass (spill light), light pollution and glare onto surrounding properties. The section applies to any exterior lighting not within a fully enclosed building or structure, and parking lot lighting also falls under Section 9103.07.060(O). Exempt are exterior lights for a temporary event with a granted Temporary Use Permit, temporary holiday decoration lights, and emergency lighting or lighting erected for official purposes by a local, State or federal agency.

The general standards in subsection D are specific. Lighting must be shielded or recessed so direct glare and reflections are confined to the maximum extent feasible within the boundaries of the site, and must be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. No lighting on private property can produce an illumination level greater than 1.0 foot-candle on any property within a residential zoning district, except on the site of the light source. Fixtures must be appropriate in scale, intensity and height to the use they serve, no permanently installed lighting can blink, flash or be of unusually high intensity of brightness, and fixtures must be full-cutoff to avoid glare and up-light.

Subsection E prohibits uplighted and back-lighted canopies or awnings, searchlights except under a Temporary Use Permit, flashing lights except with a security alarm system, roof-mounted lights, and any light that imitates a traffic signal or safety light; legal fixtures in place at the ordinance's effective date can be maintained. Residential properties carry extra rules in § 9102.01.130: fixtures are hooded and arranged to reflect away from adjoining properties and streets, light sources are located to minimize spillover of light or glare onto neighboring properties, building-mounted lights go below the eave line, and pole or fence-mounted lights sit no more than eight feet above grade, except in residential parking lots.

Section 9103.13.070 requires any use producing glare to shield it so the glare is not perceptible at or beyond any property line. Division 9 defines light trespass as light or glare that enters areas or premises outside the boundary of the premises to be illuminated.