Gilbert, AZ Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Flood/spot/security fixtures
- Must be fully shielded, § 42-34(f)
- Beam angle
- Less than 45° below horizontal
- Property-line cap
- 0.3 foot-candles at 5 ft height
- Searchlights
- Special event permit required; none after 11 p.m.
- Upward-aimed fixtures
- Fully shielded, off after 11:00 p.m.
- Penalty
- Civil sanction up to $500 per violation
Summary
Gilbert requires floodlights, spotlights and other high-intensity security or site fixtures to be fully shielded so the lamp isn't a source of glare, and building- or pole-mounted flood and spotlights must be aimed at less than 45 degrees below horizontal so the beam doesn't spill onto neighboring property.
(f)General requirements for shielding and filtration. All outdoor light fixtures, except those exempt from this section, shall be shielded as set forth below:(1)Low and high pressure sodium, metal halide, fluorescent, tungsten halogen, incandescent type lamp fixtures for the purpose of flood lighting, and architectural and site lighting shall be fully shielded... (h)(3)Building and pole mounted flood and spotlights shall be aimed so that the direction of the main beam is aimed at less than 45 degrees below horizontal and the level of illuminance at the property line does not exceed .3 foot-candles. The illuminance level shall be determined at a height of five feet above ground level, with the illuminance meter aimed towards the outdoor light fixture.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102).
Full Breakdown
' Fluorescent fixtures that illuminate outdoor advertising signs must be mounted at the top of the sign and fully shielded as well, and any fixture type not otherwise addressed must be shielded or filtered as the code compliance officer determines. 3 foot-candles,' with the reading taken five feet above grade. and sunrise even with one, except for emergency purposes. under Section 42-34(h)(2).
Violations & Fines
An improperly aimed or unshielded security fixture is enforced the same way as any other lighting violation: a civil sanction of up to $500 under the Code's general penalty, Section 1-5, per fixture per day it remains out of compliance, rising to a class one misdemeanor for a habitual offender with three civil violations within 18 months. The building and code compliance director can require a permit amendment or grant a narrow exemption under Section 42-34(j) if no conforming fixture would work for the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do security floodlights need to be shielded in Gilbert?
At what angle can I aim a security spotlight in Gilbert?
Can I use a searchlight at my business in Gilbert?
What's the penalty for an unshielded security light in Gilbert?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gilbert
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