Island County, WA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Property-line cap
- 1.0 footcandle, general standard
- Low/Medium Density neighbor
- 0.5 footcandle cap at that line
- Absolute spillover cap
- 0.2 footcandle, 5 ft. beyond line
- Fixture orientation
- Interior of property, not neighbors/streets
- Critical areas
- Lighting not permitted (§17.06.570.E.6)
Summary
Freeland outdoor lighting cannot exceed 1.0 footcandle at the property line, dropping to 0.5 footcandle where the neighboring lot is zoned Low or Medium Density, under Island County Code Section 17.06.570.D.3. Any spillover onto Low or Medium Density neighbors must also be minimized with shielding, frosted bulbs, or landscaping under Section 17.06.570.E.5.
3.Maximum light levels.(i)Lighting must be oriented to the interior of the property and not onto adjacent properties, streets or sidewalks.(ii)The average illumination level shall not exceed 1.5 footcandles for the illuminated non-residential areas and .55 footcandles for residential areas.(iii)The maximum light level of any light fixture cannot exceed 1.0 footcandles measured at the property line.(iv)Where adjacent to Low Density or Medium Density zoning districts, the maximum light level of any light fixture cannot exceed 0.5 footcandles measured at that property line.(v)The maximum light level shall not exceed 0.2 footcandles as a direct result of the on-site lighting measured five (5) feet beyond the property line. ... 5.Light trespass and glare onto neighboring Low Density or Medium Density zoned properties shall be minimized through shielding of the light fixtures, use of frosted bulbs, peripheral landscaping or fencing, building placement, or another effective method or combination of methods.
Full Breakdown
D governs how light levels are measured, in footcandles at ground level with the meter held parallel to the ground and pointing up. 2 footcandle measured five feet beyond the property line. 5 requires trespass and glare onto neighboring Low or Medium Density property to be minimized through shielding, frosted bulbs, peripheral landscaping or fencing, or building placement, with year-round screening required regardless of winter dieback. 7.
Violations & Fines
A lighting plan showing photometric footcandle levels on a 10-foot grid must be submitted with site plan, conditional use, or common-area subdivision applications (17.06.570.J), and the Planning Director can require a lighting professional's certification that a design meets these trespass limits before approving it. General code-enforcement, complaint, and penalty procedures under Island County Code Titles 16 and 17 (17.06.030.A) apply once a property is found exceeding the footcandle caps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can my outdoor light be at my property line in Freeland?
What can I do if a neighbor's business lighting shines onto my Freeland home?
Can a trail through a wetland buffer be lit at night in Freeland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Island County
Compare Island County to another location·View the Washington outdoor lighting overview
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