Light spilling from one property onto a neighbor's is addressed under Section 6.3 (Lighting) of the Guilford County Unified Development Ordinance, which requires exterior lighting to be shielded and directed so glare and illumination are not cast onto adjacent properties or public streets. Persistent glare can also be a nuisance.
Guilford County's Unified Development Ordinance Section 6.3 (Lighting) governs how exterior lighting must be aimed and shielded to prevent light trespass onto neighboring lots and roadways, primarily for site, parking, and nonresidential lighting in unincorporated areas. The standard is to design and shield fixtures so direct glare and excessive illumination stay on the source property. Where a residential fixture causes ongoing glare, it may also be pursued under the county's general nuisance provisions in the Code of Ordinances. Specific numeric limits (such as maximum foot-candles at a property line) are contained in Section 6.3 — confirm current values with Guilford County Planning & Development.
Light-trespass violations can trigger a zoning correction order requiring re-aiming or shielding of fixtures, with civil penalties for continued non-compliance.
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See how Guilford County's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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