Denton County, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Light trespass — unwanted artificial light spilling from one property onto another — is not regulated by Denton County in unincorporated areas. The county has no ordinance establishing maximum light levels at property boundaries, shielding requirements, or prohibited lighting types. This is a significant concern in the rapidly developing areas of unincorporated Denton County where new commercial development, sports facilities, and large residential projects are being built adjacent to existing rural properties. Common complaints involve unshielded security floodlights, commercial parking lot lighting, and sports field lighting affecting neighboring residential properties. Without a county ordinance, affected residents must pursue civil nuisance claims in county court or rely on HOA CC&R enforcement within subdivisions. Cities within the county typically address light trespass through their development codes: Flower Mound, for example, requires photometric plans for commercial development showing zero light spillover at residential property lines.