The 2022 Zoning Ordinance limits light spillover across property lines. Illumination measured at a lot line abutting residential use or vacant land in Rural, Agricultural, and Residential zones may not exceed 0.5 foot-candles; higher limits apply for commercial and industrial neighbors (Sec. 27-6706(c)).
Under the M-NCPPC 2022 Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27, Sec. 27-6706(c)), exterior lighting and indoor lighting visible from outside must be designed and located so that the maximum illumination measured in foot-candles at ground level at a lot line does not exceed the limits in Table 27-6706(c).1. The strictest limit is 0.5 foot-candles at a lot line abutting a residential use or vacant land in the Rural and Agricultural base zones and the Residential zones. Higher caps apply where the neighboring use is multifamily/townhouse or public/civic (1.0), commercial or mixed-use (2.0), stand-alone parking (2.5), or industrial (3.0) foot-candles. Section 27-6708 specifies measurements are taken at the lot line of the property generating the light, at finished grade, using a calibrated meter.
Exterior or interior-visible lighting that throws more than the allowed foot-candles onto a neighboring residential lot line can be cited as a zoning violation, requiring the owner to shield, reaim, dim, or replace the offending fixtures.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
prince-georges-county-md
Prince George's County actively supports composting. Through the PGC Composts program, the County offers weekly curbside collection of food scraps and yard t...
prince-georges-county-md
Prince George's County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating residential artificial turf. Because Maryland is humid, turf is not a mandated dro...
prince-georges-county-md
Prince George's County encourages native and conservation landscaping rather than restricting it. The Rain Check Rebate Program offers a conservation landsca...
prince-georges-county-md
Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in Prince George's County. Rain barrels and cisterns are Rain Check-approved practices eligible for cou...
prince-georges-county-md
Prince George's County has no permanent lawn-watering schedule. Water is supplied by WSSC Water, and in humid Maryland outdoor watering is unrestricted in no...
prince-georges-county-md
Prince George's County treats overgrown weeds as a property-maintenance violation. Subtitle 13 (Section 13-118, adopting IPMC 302.4) bans weeds and plant gro...
See how Prince George's County's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.