Unincorporated Richland County caps light spilling onto neighboring property. Illumination at a property line may not exceed 0.1 horizontal or 0.1 vertical foot-candles (outdoor retail up to an average of 2.5). Luminaires must be full-cutoff, downward-aimed, and fitted with visors to control off-site spill and glare.
Sec. 26-177(b) sets the light-trespass standard for new development. At property lines, illumination cannot exceed 0.1 horizontal or 0.1 vertical foot-candles, with outdoor retail uses allowed an average of 2.5 foot-candles. All luminaires must have internal/external visors, must be full-cutoff certified, and must be properly aimed and maintained to control off-site spill and glare. Distance rules also require the spacing between commercial or athletic luminaires and a residential property line to be at least equal to the luminaire height. Cities enforce their own lighting standards.
Lighting that exceeds the foot-candle limit at a property line is a zoning violation addressed through development review and enforced by the Planning Department.
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