Snohomish County, WA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- No direct glare off-site
- General rule
- SCC 30.22.130
- Sign lighting rule
- SCC 30.27.010
- Footcandle limit
- None numeric
- Remedy
- Hood, shade, or redirect
Summary
In unincorporated Snohomish County outdoor lighting must be hooded or shaded so that direct light does not glare onto surrounding property or rights-of-way. Sign lighting has the same rule, so light spilling onto a neighbor can be a violation.
Artificial lighting, excluding digital signs, shall be hooded or shaded so that direct light of lamps will not result in glare when viewed from the surrounding property or rights-of-way.
(7) All signs must be a distance of 100 feet or more from all road crossings of railroad rights-of-way. They must be placed in a manner that they do not block the view of the crossing by operating personnel aboard the trains or by motorists approaching the crossing from either direction.
(8) Where required by chapter 30.53A SCC, those areas of drive aisles where parking is prohibited shall be designated as "no parking" areas on the approved administrative site plan for a single family detached unit development. Designation of "no parking" areas shall be with either striping, signage, or a combination thereof. Signs, when used, shall not be required to be spaced closer than every 100 feet; provided, however, signs may be required closer than 100 feet apart if necessitated by site topography. The approved striping, signage, or combination thereof shall be installed before the first certificate of occupancy is issued for that phase of the single family detached unit development. Provisions for enforcement of "no parking" areas shall be included in the covenants, conditions and restrictions for single family detached unit developments required pursuant to SCC 30.41F.030(3).
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The county controls light trespass through glare-prevention language rather than a numeric footcandle limit. SCC 30.22.130 requires artificial lighting to be hooded or shaded so direct outside lighting will not result in glare when viewed from surrounding property or rights-of-way. For signs, SCC 30.27.010 requires that artificial lighting, excluding digital signs, be hooded or shaded so that direct light of lamps will not result in glare when viewed from surrounding property or rights-of-way. Outdoor-arena and design-standard sections add shielding duties in specific zones. A homeowner whose fixtures throw direct glare onto a neighbor can be required to shield or aim them so the direct light stays on their own property.
Violations & Fines
Direct glare spilling onto adjacent property or a right-of-way can be cited under these standards or as a nuisance; the county may order shielding, redirection, or reduction of the offending light.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's light shines into my yard - is that allowed?
Is there a set brightness limit for light trespass?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington outdoor lighting overview
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