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Franklin Township, PA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Light trespass limit
0.2 footcandle at property line
Applies to
All uses, all zoning districts
Measured at
Adjacent property line or roadway
Parking after-hours cap
1.0 footcandle on-site
Governing section
§ 27-1607.1.D

Summary

In Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, ambient light spilling from any property may not exceed 0.2 footcandle at an adjacent property line or over vehicular roadways, a numeric light-trespass ceiling set in the zoning code's lighting standards.

In no event shall the ambient lighting from all sources exceed 0.2 footcandle of incident light or glare at the property line of adjacent properties or upon vehicular traffic roadways.

View official code

Full Breakdown

2 footcandle of incident light or glare at the property line of adjacent properties or upon vehicular traffic roadways. A, which requires all lighting to be arranged to protect the street and neighboring properties from direct glare, light trespass, or light radiation causing a safety problem or nuisance. 5 footcandle range set for commercial and industrial parking lots, meaning any light bleeding onto a neighbor's yard has to sit well under even the dimmest on-site design target. 2 footcandle boundary limit at the property line. This provision traces to Ord. 95-07 of 12/14/1995 (originally § 1506) and was amended by Ord. 2002-08 on 5/16/2002.

Violations & Fines

A property exceeding the 0.2 footcandle boundary limit is subject to the same zoning enforcement path as other lighting violations: a written notice of violation from the Zoning Officer under § 27-2303 specifying the corrective steps and deadline, followed, if uncorrected, by a civil enforcement judgment of up to $500 plus court costs and attorney fees under § 27-2304, with each continuing day treated as a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much light can legally cross onto my neighbor's property in Franklin Township?
Section 27-1607.1.D caps ambient lighting from all sources at 0.2 footcandle of incident light or glare measured at the adjacent property line or over vehicular roadways, regardless of the zoning district.
Does the light-trespass limit apply to homes as well as businesses?
Yes. Section 27-1607's general standards apply to all uses, conforming or nonconforming, in every district of the township unless the section states an exception, so the 0.2 footcandle boundary limit is not restricted to commercial properties.
Is there a lower light limit at night for parking lots?
Yes. Under § 27-1607.4, facilities with extended or 24-hour operation must reduce parking and loading-area lighting at 9:00 p.m. so it does not exceed 1.0 footcandle within the site, in addition to the separate 0.2 footcandle property-line limit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Franklin Township

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsDark Sky RulesSome RestrictionsBillboard LightingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsFew Restrictions

All Franklin Township rules

Compare Franklin Township to another location·View the Pennsylvania outdoor lighting overview

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