Ventura County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Ventura County addresses light trespass (light spilling beyond your property onto a neighbor) at two levels of its Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance. Countywide, Sec. 8106-8.6(d) provides that lights in excess of 150 watts (incandescent) or 2,250 lumens shall be shielded, directed downward, and installed and maintained in a manner to avoid light trespass beyond the lot line. The same section requires a Zoning Clearance for freestanding light fixtures over 2 feet up to 20 feet tall on open-space, agricultural or residential property, with taller fixtures needing a Planned Development Permit, and bars freestanding fixtures in side setbacks. Within the Dark Sky (DKS) Overlay Zone, Sec. 8109-4.7.4(a) requires all luminaires to be fully shielded, directed downward and maintained to avoid light trespass beyond the lot line, and Sec. 8109-4.7.4(i) imposes quantitative limits in Table 1, measured at the property line illuminated by the source: 0.1 foot-candles for Open Space/Agriculture/Special Purpose zones (OS-REC, OS, AE, TP); 0.1 foot-candles for Rural Residential and single-/two-family residential zones (RA, RE, RO, R1, R2); 0.2 foot-candles for multifamily residential zones (such as RPD); and 0.25 foot-candles for commercial and industrial zones (CO, C1, CPD, M1, M2, M3) unless a discretionary permit approves otherwise. When zones of different limits abut, the more restrictive limit applies.