Ceres, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- § 19.08.080(AA)
- Trigger
- Glare onto neighbor or right-of-way
- Enforced by
- Code Enforcement, administrative citation
- First fine
- $100.00 (§ 19.06.050)
- Repeat fines
- $250.00, then $500.00
Summary
Ceres Municipal Code declares any light, lighted sign, or device that directs or reflects glare onto a neighboring property or the public right-of-way a nuisance, subject to code enforcement citation and fines.
The existence of lights, lighted signs, or other devices that direct or reflect glare onto public right of way or neighboring properties;BB.The existence of buildings which are vacant, abandoned, or boarded up in violation of the provisions or standards set forth in chapter 6.06;CC.The use of hog manure as fertilizer, unless the hog manure is turned into the soil within 24 hours after it is spread;DD.Maintenance of any building, vacant lot, premise, vehicle, or place in such manner as to permit the breeding or harboring therein or thereon of flies, bedbugs, cockroaches, black widow spiders, lice, fleas, or any other vermin.EE.The existence of any structures or conditions which violates:1.California Civil Code section 1941.1;2.Any ordinance of the City adopted pursuant to chapter 4 (commencing with section 65800) of division 1 of title 7 of the California Government Code, or any other constitutional or statutory authority;3.Any provision of article 1 (commencing with section 13100) of chapter 1 of part 2 of division 12 of the California Health and Safety Code, and any City ordinances or regulations adopted pursuant to that Article;4.Any provision of the State Housing Law (part 1.5 (commencing with section 17910) of division 13 of the California Health and Safety Code) and any City ordinances or regulations adopted pursuant to that article; or5.Any provision of the California Building Standards Code (title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Under Ceres Municipal Code § 19.08.080(AA), lights, lighted signs, or other devices that direct or reflect glare onto the public right-of-way or neighboring properties are declared a nuisance condition citywide, whether the fixture is on a house, a business, or a parking lot. Once Code Enforcement confirms the violation, the City's escalating fine schedule under § 19.06.050 kicks in: $100.00 for a first administrative citation, $250.00 for a second, and $500.00 for a third or subsequent citation for the same unshielded or misdirected fixture. There's no footcandle table -- the test is simply whether the light spills glare onto a neighbor's yard or the street.
Violations & Fines
An unshielded floodlight, security light, or illuminated sign throwing glare onto a neighbor's property or the street draws a code enforcement notice, then a $100 citation, $250 for a repeat, and $500 after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ceres require security lights to be shielded?
What's the fine for a glaring security light in Ceres?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ceres
California rules heatmap·Compare Ceres to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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