Frisco, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Limit near homes
- 1/4 footcandle at the property line
- Limit near streets
- 1/2 footcandle at a right-of-way
- Governing law
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance § 4.05.02(D)
- Residential exemption
- Fixtures 75 watts or less with cutoff
- Measured at
- The property line itself, not the fixture
Summary
Frisco's Zoning Ordinance caps how much light can spill onto a neighbor's property: no more than one-quarter footcandle at a property line next to a Protected Residential Property, and one-half footcandle where the light spills toward a street right-of-way instead. The limit applies to every outdoor luminaire on private property, not just parking lot lights.
(D) Light trespass limitation.All luminaires located on private property shall be designed or positioned so that the maximum illumination at the property line next to a Protected Residential Property shall not exceed one-quarter (1/4) footcandle and shall not exceed one-half (1/2) footcandle adjacent to a street right-of-way. (E) Canopy lighting.Lighting recessed for canopies covering fueling stations at automobile service stations and drive-through facilities shall not illuminate abutting properties and the luminaires shall be designed so that the light source and lenses (bulb or lamp) are completely shielded from direct view at a point five (5) feet above the grade on the lot line.
Full Breakdown
05. 02(E), requires that recessed canopy fixtures not illuminate abutting properties at all and be shielded from direct view at five feet above grade on the lot line. 05 only if the lamp is rated 75 watts or less, incorporates a cutoff component, and still keeps the lighting level at the property line under the footcandle ceiling, though that ceiling can be exceeded if the fixture is on a motion sensor that runs for no more than ten continuous minutes. 06 before occupancy, and a fixture found exceeding the footcandle limit after installation must be adjusted, re-aimed, or re-shielded to bring the property line reading back into compliance.
Violations & Fines
A luminaire that measures above one-quarter footcandle at a property line next to a Protected Residential Property, or above one-half footcandle at a street right-of-way, violates § 4.05.02(D); the Director can require the fixture be re-aimed, re-shielded, or replaced, and a noncompliant photometric plan can be rejected or modified under § 4.05.06 before a certificate of occupancy is granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can my neighbor's floodlight be at my property line in Frisco?
Is my own porch light exempt from Frisco's light trespass limit?
What can I do if a business's parking lot lights shine into my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Frisco
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Frisco to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
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Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle light trespass & shielding.