El Paso County, CO Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Light trespass — artificial light illuminating areas beyond the originating property — is prohibited under Colorado Springs CSCC §7.3.701(D) and El Paso County LDC §5.3.5. Residential limits: 0.5 foot-candles (fc) maintained maximum at property line; commercial: 1.0 fc. Security floodlights must be aimed and shielded so the lit cone falls only on the owner's property. Floodlights aimed directly at neighboring homes are prohibited and drive most complaints. String lights and decorative lighting must not create glare for neighbors or passing traffic. Holiday lighting exempt November 15-January 15 annually. Commercial parking-lot lighting faces stricter measured standards under IES RP-33. Enforcement is complaint-driven — residents report to Colorado Springs Code Enforcement, which responds with field measurement using calibrated light meters. Common violations: unshielded security floods, decorative uplighting, tree-ball ("fairy light") commercial installations, and mid-lot pole floods. El Paso County unincorporated handles through Code Enforcement Officer investigation. HOAs in Flying Horse, Wolf Ranch, Broadmoor, and Briargate often enforce stricter standards (0.2 fc at property line). Manitou Springs adds historic-district standards — warm-only lighting, no cold-white or color-changing displays in commercial areas outside holiday window.