Elk Grove, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Elk Grove regulates light trespass, spillover light crossing onto a neighbor's property, in § 23.56.030(B)(4) of the outdoor lighting chapter. The code states: "In order to minimize light trespass on abutting residential, agricultural-residential, and agricultural property, illumination measured at the nearest residential structure or rear yard setback line shall not exceed the moon's potential ambient illumination of one-tenth (0.1 fc) foot-candle." The limit applies to new multifamily and nonresidential development and sits inside the same illumination table that sets minimum lighting levels for parking lots (1 fc minimum, 4 fc average), pedestrian walkways (0.5 fc minimum, 2 fc average), and building entries (1 fc minimum).

Compliance is checked with a point-by-point photometric calculation submitted with the development permit application, required under the introductory paragraph of § 23.56.030(B), before the City issues a building permit or approves site improvement plans. The designated approving authority can grant an exception to the light-trespass and shielding standards for outdoor recreation facilities on park sites, but only on a finding that the light impacts do not create a public nuisance for abutting residential property, per the general exceptions clause in § 23.56.030. Because Elk Grove's southern edge is agricultural, the rule explicitly extends the 0.1-footcandle ceiling to agricultural and agricultural-residential land, not just residential lots, protecting farm operations from encroaching development lighting the same way it protects rooftops in the city's master-planned subdivisions.