Baytown, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Baytown does not have a specific light trespass ordinance with quantified measurement standards such as maximum footcandle levels at property lines. Light trespass complaints are handled through the general nuisance provisions of the Code of Ordinances. For commercial and industrial developments, the site plan review process requires outdoor lighting to be designed to minimize glare and spillover onto adjacent properties, particularly when adjacent to residential zones. Shielded and downward-directed fixtures are standard requirements in commercial site plans. For residential properties, there is no ordinance specifically limiting outdoor lighting brightness or direction. However, persistent light directed intentionally at a neighbor's windows or living areas may constitute a nuisance under the city's general provisions. Code Enforcement evaluates these complaints on a case-by-case basis considering the intensity, direction, and duration of the lighting. Property owners experiencing light trespass from a neighbor should first attempt to resolve the issue directly. If unsuccessful, a formal complaint can be filed with Code Enforcement at (281) 420-6585. The city may issue a notice to the offending property owner requiring mitigation.