Cedar Rapids, IA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential/ROW cap
- 0.5 foot-candles
- Mixed-use/industrial/ag cap
- 1.0 foot-candle
- Full cutoff required
- fixtures over 1,800 lumens
- Applies to
- new dev. & redevelopment
- Reviewed by
- Development Services
Summary
Cedar Rapids caps light trespass from new and redeveloped sites at 0.5 foot-candles at property lines next to residential uses and public rights-of-way, part of the zoning code's light-pollution and glare control standards.
Residential and Public Right-of-Way: Illumination measured at the property line adjoining residential uses, including residential uses in mixed-use development, and public rights-of-way shall not exceed 0.5 horizontal foot-candles. b. Mixed Use, Industrial, and Agricultural: Illumination measured at the property line adjoining commercial, industrial, and agricultural parcels shall not exceed 1.0 horizontal foot-candles. c. Full Cut-Off Fixture: Any luminaire rated at more than 1800 lumens shall be designed with a full cut-off fixture except those used for lighting recreational facilities, which shall comply with Section 32.04.07.H.3. 2. Methods of Compliance a. Methods of complying with the requirements of this section, where not specifically indicated, include: fixture shielding as partially illustrated in Figure 32.04.07-A, directional control designed into the fixture, fixture location, fixture height, and fixture aim. b. Any luminaire rated at more than 1800 lumens shall be designed with a full cut-off fixture except those used for lighting recreational facilities, which shall comply with Section 32.04.07.H.3. 32.04.07 | Development Standards - Exterior Lighting
Cedar Rapids Zoning Ordinance Figure 32.04.07-C: Diagram of Light Angle G. Fixture Design 1. Fixture Height
a. Lighting fixtures located within 50 feet of property lines for existing or future residential, mixed-use, or agricultural districts, shall not exceed 25 feet in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24).
Full Breakdown
The exterior lighting standards apply to new development and redevelopment (other than single- and two-unit residential and agricultural uses) and are meant to control glare, cut light trespass onto neighbors, and reduce light pollution that obscures the night sky. Illumination measured at property lines next to residential uses or public rights-of-way can't exceed 0.5 horizontal foot-candles; the cap rises to 1.0 foot-candle next to commercial, industrial, or agricultural parcels. Any fixture rated above 1,800 lumens must use a full cut-off design, and exterior lighting plans are reviewed before structural building permits issue.
Violations & Fines
Exterior lighting plans exceeding the foot-candle caps or skipping required full cut-off shielding are rejected during the plan review that precedes issuance of structural building permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can a business's parking lot lights be at my property line?
Does a single-family home have to follow these lighting rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Rapids
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