Davenport, IA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Property-Line Limit
- 1 foot-candle maximum
- Applies In
- R-1 through R-6M districts
- Complaints To
- Public Works engineering
- Fines
- $100 / $200 / $500
- Exempt
- Holiday, government lighting
Summary
Davenport's outdoor security lighting code prohibits light exceeding one foot-candle at a neighbor's property line. Floodlights and 360-degree security lights in residential districts must be shielded so they cast no light beyond the owner's lot.
So long as the light intensity as measured at the complainant's property line does not exceed one foot candle, the light shall not be found to violate subsections A or B above. However, any light source as described in A or B above that exceeds one foot candle at the complainant's property line is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4820400; v43 updated 2026-03-11; through 03-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.50 of the Davenport Municipal Code governs outdoor security lighting. Sections 8.50.040(A) and (B) require that floodlights and diffusing (360-degree) luminaires in or next to districts zoned R-1 through R-6M be installed so no light is transmitted outside the lot on which the source sits. Section 8.50.040(C) sets the enforceable threshold: light measured at the complainant's property line may not exceed one foot-candle. Complaints go to the Public Works engineering division; offending lights must be redirected or shielded. Holiday lighting and government-installed lighting are exempt. The zoning code applies the same one-footcandle lot-line cap to new development.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that exceeds one foot-candle at the property line is a municipal infraction: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense, plus an order to shield or redirect the light.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's floodlight shines into my yard. What can I do?
Is there a limit on how bright outdoor lights can be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davenport
Compare Davenport to another location·View the Iowa outdoor lighting overview
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