Benton County, AR Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- No light or glare spill onto neighbors
- Includes
- Pulse or strobe light patterns
- Enforcement tool
- Required photometric plan
- Measurable limit
- No lumens cross property line
- Governing section
- Ch. IV § 4.7(D)
Summary
Benton County's performance standards forbid any development from letting excessive light or glare, including pulsing or strobe patterns, spill onto neighboring properties in a way that disrupts rest or sleep. The Planning Board can require a photometric plan proving no lumens cross the property line.
D. Light and Glare: No proposed use should result in excessive light and/or glare (or light patterns such as pulse or strobe) spilling onto adjacent properties that disrupts quality of life including rest or sleep or creates adverse physical or psychological impacts. Mitigation might include but not be limited to buffers or screening, light shielding, reduction in ambient light level produced, using different lighting methods, or other means appropriate to the site or glare-generating activity. A photometric plan may be required indicating that no lumens cross property lines.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
indicating that no lumens cross property lines,' putting a hard, measurable limit behind the general standard. 7(D) addresses where its light actually lands once installed. Because both provisions feed into the same Planning Board site plan review, an applicant whose photometric plan shows light crossing onto a neighboring lot can be required to add screening or shielding before the plan is approved.
Violations & Fines
A development whose lighting spills onto a neighbor in violation of Section 4.7(D) will not clear site plan review, and building or operating without that approval is unlawful under Section 1.2. Section 2.6 subjects the violation to the penalties set in Section 1-9 of the Benton County Code of Ordinances, and the Planning Board can separately condition or revisit approval until a photometric plan shows no lumens crossing the property line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my neighbor's business lighting shine onto my property in Benton County?
How does the county prove light is crossing a property line?
What can a developer do to fix a light trespass problem?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Benton County
Compare Benton County to another location·View the Arkansas outdoor lighting overview
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