Light trespass onto neighboring properties in Citrus Heights is actionable under CHMC nuisance provisions and Civil Code §3479. Light shining directly into residential windows or bedrooms can be declared a public nuisance subject to abatement.
Citrus Heights treats persistent, excessive light trespass as a private and public nuisance. Under Civil Code §3479, 'anything which is injurious to health... or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property' qualifies as a nuisance — courts have applied this to egregious light pollution. Locally, the CHMC zoning code requires outdoor lighting to be designed so that light does not spill onto adjacent residential properties. Code enforcement can issue notice and abatement orders. Remedies may include shielding fixtures, re-aiming, reducing wattage, or installing timers. For disputes between neighbors, small claims court and private nuisance actions (Civil Code §3481) are available, with potential injunctive relief. Security lighting with motion sensors is generally considered reasonable if it points downward and doesn't stay on continuously. Commercial properties adjacent to residential areas face stricter requirements.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Citrus Heights, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Sacramento County.
See how other cities in Sacramento County handle light trespass.
See how Citrus Heights's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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