Bryan, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential limit
- 0.50 lumens at the property line
- Nonresidential/ROW limit
- 1.0 lumen at the property line
- Parking lot fixture height cap
- 24 feet maximum
- Cutoff angle required
- No more than 90 degrees
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 per day
Summary
Bryan limits outdoor lighting in its Innovation Corridor overlay to 0.50 lumens at the property line next to homes and 1.0 lumen near nonresidential lots, with all fixtures shielded and capped at a 90-degree cutoff angle.
(a)Outdoor lighting shall not exceed the following levels: (1)0.50 lumens at the property line if the subject property abuts a residential district or a lot containing a residential use; or (2)1.0 lumen at the property line if the subject property abuts a nonresidential district or lot containing a nonresidential use or at the right-of-way line. ... (c)All outdoor lighting shall be shielded and provided with cutoff fixtures that are designed to have a cutoff angle of no more than 90 degrees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 62-565 sets the light-trespass limit for Bryan's Innovation Corridor overlay: 0.50 lumens measured at the property line where it abuts a home or residential lot, and 1.0 lumen where it abuts nonresidential land or a right-of-way. Parking-lot fixtures top out at 24 feet, pedestrian fixtures at 12 feet, and every fixture must carry a cutoff shield limiting the beam to no more than 90 degrees. The same lumen, height, and cutoff standard is repeated for the Midtown-Corridor and Midtown-High Density districts (Sec. 130-21, 130-22) and for self-storage developments citywide (Sec. 130-34(w)).
Violations & Fines
Violating the zoning code's outdoor lighting section is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day, with each day a separate offense, and affected neighboring property owners may sue to enforce it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bryan's light trespass limit apply citywide?
What counts as excessive glare under Bryan's rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bryan
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bryan to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
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