Prince George's County, MD Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 27-6706(c)
- Residential lot line
- 0.5 foot-candles max
- Commercial neighbor
- 2.0 foot-candles max
- Industrial neighbor
- 3.0 foot-candles max
- Measured at
- Lot line, ground level
Summary
The 2022 Zoning Ordinance limits light spillover across property lines. Illumination measured at a lot line abutting residential use or vacant land in Rural, Agricultural, and Residential zones may not exceed 0.5 foot-candles; higher limits apply for commercial and industrial neighbors (Sec. 27-6706(c)).
…all exterior lighting and indoor lighting visible from outside shall be designed and located so that the maximum illumination measured in foot-candles at ground level at a lot line shall not exceed the standards in Table 27-6706(c).1…
Full Breakdown
Under the M-NCPPC 2022 Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27, Sec. 27-6706(c)), exterior lighting and indoor lighting visible from outside must be designed and located so that the maximum illumination measured in foot-candles at ground level at a lot line does not exceed the limits in Table 27-6706(c).1. The strictest limit is 0.5 foot-candles at a lot line abutting a residential use or vacant land in the Rural and Agricultural base zones and the Residential zones. Higher caps apply where the neighboring use is multifamily/townhouse or public/civic (1.0), commercial or mixed-use (2.0), stand-alone parking (2.5), or industrial (3.0) foot-candles. Section 27-6708 specifies measurements are taken at the lot line of the property generating the light, at finished grade, using a calibrated meter.
Violations & Fines
Exterior or interior-visible lighting that throws more than the allowed foot-candles onto a neighboring residential lot line can be cited as a zoning violation, requiring the owner to shield, reaim, dim, or replace the offending fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's yard?
How is light trespass measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland outdoor lighting overview
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