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Howard County, MD Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

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

Key Facts

Measured at
3 ft above property line
Low-density residential cap
0.1 foot-candles
Other residential cap
0.5 foot-candles
Exempt
Rights-of-way, non-residential land
Governing rule
Zoning Section 134.0.D

Summary

Howard County limits light trespass onto neighboring residential property. Measured three feet above ground at the property line, spillover is capped at 0.1 foot-candles onto lower-density residential districts and 0.5 foot-candles onto other residential property, under Zoning Regulations Section 134.0.D.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Light trespass shall be measured in vertical foot-candles three feet above ground level at the property line. 1. Light trespass onto a property in the RC, RR, R-ED, R-20, R-12, or R-SC District... shall be limited to 0.1 foot candles. 2. Light trespass onto any other property zoned or used for residential purposes shall be limited to 0.5 foot candles.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).

Full Breakdown

Zoning Regulations Section 134.0.D limits light trespass from regulated properties, measured in vertical foot-candles three feet above ground level at the property line. Light trespass onto a property in the RC, RR, R-ED, R-20, R-12, or R-SC district (or equivalent low-density areas in the NT, PGCC, or MXD districts) is limited to 0.1 foot-candles. Light trespass onto any other property zoned or used for residential purposes is limited to 0.5 foot-candles. These limits do not apply to public street rights-of-way or to land developed for non-residential uses. The standards apply to the commercial, industrial, and parking-area lighting covered by Section 134.0.

Violations & Fines

Regulated lighting exceeding the property-line foot-candle limits is a zoning outdoor-lighting violation; the county can require compliant fixtures, shielding, or an approved alternative plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much light can spill onto my property?
For regulated lighting, spillover is capped at 0.1 foot-candles onto low-density residential districts and 0.5 foot-candles onto other residential property, measured three feet above ground at the property line.
Do these limits cover my neighbor's porch light?
Section 134.0 mainly governs commercial, industrial, and parking-area lighting. Ordinary home fixtures are not directly capped, but general nuisance principles still discourage light shining into neighbors' homes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsBillboard LightingSome RestrictionsDark Sky RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions

All Howard County rules

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