Lake County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Light trespass — light spilling from one property onto a neighbor's — is directly addressed by the General Performance Standards in Article 41. Section 41.8(a) (Glare and heat) provides that 'All exterior lighting accessory to any use shall be hooded, shielded or opaque' and that 'No unobstructed beam of light shall be directed beyond any exterior lot line,' exempting only buildings and structures under construction. This is the County's principal light-trespass control and applies to residential, commercial, and other uses across all zoning districts. For illuminated signs, Article 45's performance standards add that 'All lighted signs shall be so located or shielded to prevent glare to surrounding properties or public streets' (Section 45.26(b)), and that sign lighting must not endanger public safety by distracting motorists. The County does not adopt a numeric illuminance (foot-candle) threshold at the property line; compliance is judged by whether lighting is properly shielded and whether an unobstructed beam crosses the lot line. A neighbor experiencing light spill from a non-shielded fixture can report the issue to Lake County Code Enforcement, which evaluates it against the Section 41.8 standard. In scenic areas, the Article 34 Scenic Combining District further limits illuminated signage to reduce night-time light intrusion on protected views.