Everett, MA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

In the City of Everett, Massachusetts, the light trespass rule is part of the off-street parking section of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, Section 17. Paragraph N says off-street parking facilities shall not be used for automobile sales, gasoline sales, dead storage, repair work other than emergency repairs, dismantling or servicing of any kind, and that any lighting provided shall be installed in a manner that will prevent direct light from shinning onto any street or adjacent property. The facilities also must be designed and used so as not to constitute a nuisance, a hazard, or an unreasonable impediment to traffic.

Paragraph L deals with headlight glare. All properties that abut a parking lot are to be protected by one of two screens. The first is a strip at least 4 feet wide, densely planted with shrubs or trees at least 4 feet high at planting that can be expected to form a year-round dense screen at least 6 feet high within 3 years. The second is a wall, barrier or fence of uniform appearance at least 5 feet high but not more than 6 feet above finish grade, opaque or perforated with not more than 50 percent of the face open. Paragraph L(3) requires the screening to be maintained in good condition at all times and not to exceed 6 feet in height.

Paragraph M keeps parking stalls 8 feet from any window of a habitable room in the basement or first story. Parking lots for more than 5 vehicles go to the inspector of buildings for review, and the plans must show lighting. Applications for more than 8 new parking spaces need Planning Board approval. Section 19A(d)(3)(f) adds a glare test for limited site plan review of nonprofit educational, religious and child-care uses over 5,000 gross square feet: no unreasonable glare onto public roads and other public ways, into the night sky, or onto neighboring properties from lighting or reflection.