Fayetteville, AR Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Light stays on owner's lot
- Citation
- UDC 176.05(D)
- Enforcement
- Formal complaint to Planning
- Homes exempt
- Single/two-family
- Home disputes
- Nuisance law
Summary
Fayetteville's lighting ordinance requires all direct illumination from a regulated fixture to stay within the owner's property boundaries under UDC 176.05(D). Enforcement is complaint-driven through the Planning Department. Single- and two-family homes are exempt, so home-to-home glare disputes fall to nuisance law.
All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, installed, located and maintained such that all direct illumination is kept within the boundaries of the fixture owner's property.
Full Breakdown
Under UDC Chapter 176, Fayetteville requires outdoor lighting fixtures to be designed, installed, located, and maintained so that all direct illumination is kept within the boundaries of the fixture owner's property, at Section 176.05(D). The stated purpose is to protect property owners' privacy by limiting glare and light trespass from fixtures on adjacent properties, and Section 176.05(E) lets the standard be enforced on a formal complaint filed with the Planning Department. These shielding and containment rules do not apply to single- and two-family residential dwellings, which are exempt, so a homeowner bothered by a neighbor's floodlight generally relies on a common-law private-nuisance claim. Commercial, multifamily, and other regulated properties must keep their light on their own lot.
Violations & Fines
The Planning Department acts on a formal complaint and can require a noncompliant regulated fixture to be reshielded or reaimed so light stays on the owner's lot. Between exempt single- and two-family homes, the remedy is a private nuisance suit.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's floodlight shines into my yard, can the city help?
What is Fayetteville's light trespass standard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
Compare Fayetteville to another location·View the Arkansas outdoor lighting overview
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Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle light trespass & shielding.