Decatur, AL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Decatur regulates light spilling onto neighbors through the parking area lighting subsection of the zoning chapter, City Code § 25-16(9)(o). All exterior lighting fixtures must be protected by a weather and vandal resistant covering, and must be located and fitted with appropriate cutoffs, if necessary, to prevent the light level on any adjoining roadway or residential property line from exceeding one foot candle. Flood lights must be aimed so they do not exceed an angle of 45 degrees out from the base of the pole or structure. Fixtures must be 30 feet or less in height unless the parking area exceeds 25,000 square feet, and then taller installations are allowed only if the applicant shows every requirement can still be met.

A detailed lighting plan is required for any parking area on a legal lot adjoining an R designated district (including PRD), any area with at least 50 spaces, and any area of at least 12,000 square feet. The plan must include point to point photometric calculations at intervals of not more than 10 feet, an extra calculation identifying the light level produced at the property line, fixture heights, lamp specifications and the seal of a state registered design professional. Once installed, that professional must certify by letter that the work matches the approved plan, and this must happen before a certificate of occupancy issues.

The standards apply to parking lots citywide except areas in single-family residential districts. Lighting that meets the standards must run during all hours of operation between dusk and dawn. The table sets a required minimum of 1 foot candle at a 10:1 uniformity ratio for ordinary parking areas, 5 foot candles for parking garages and 10 foot candles for garage stairwells. Existing lawful lots are grandfathered until floor area changes by 50 percent or a new structure is built.