Leander, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Shielding rule
- Light source not visible off-site
- Wall-pack lighting
- Banned facing streets or homes
- Reviewed with
- Photometric plan, building permit
- Applies to
- Permanent nonresidential exterior fixtures
Summary
Leander requires every permanent nonresidential exterior fixture to be shielded so the light source itself is never visible from the public right-of-way or an adjacent residential lot.
All permanent exterior lighting shall be non-flashing and shielded such that the light source (cone of direct light) is not visible from the public ROW or adjacent residential uses at the property line (see Figure R - following page).ii.Wall pack lighting or other lighting that directs the light in a horizontal direction without an adequate shield is not permitted (since it directs the light glare directly outward) if there are streets or residential uses in the direction of the light.b.Illumination Levels.i.All site lighting shall be designed and installed so that the level of illumination as measured in foot candles at a height of three (3') feet at the property line does not exceed two (2') footcandles.(c)Residential outdoor lighting on residential property will be installed in accordance with applicable City Code Standards. It will be located so as not to create a nuisance for adjoining property owners.
(Ordinance 05-18-00 adopted 9/1/05; Ordinance 16-065-00, sec. 21, adopted 7/21/16)
Full Breakdown
Under the zoning ordinance's outdoor lighting standards, all permanent exterior lighting on nonresidential property must be non-flashing and shielded so the cone of direct light, the visible light source itself, not just its glow, cannot be seen from a public right-of-way or from adjacent residential property at the property line. Wall-pack fixtures that throw light horizontally without adequate shielding are separately banned wherever a street or residential use sits in the light's direction. Both requirements are checked against the lighting and photometric plan filed with the building permit application before Leander issues the permit.
Violations & Fines
An unshielded fixture or a wall-pack light aimed at a street or home can hold up building permit issuance, or draw a code enforcement order to re-aim or shield it after installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the shielding rule cover residential security lights?
What counts as adequately shielded?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Leander
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Leander to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
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Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Williamson County handle light trespass & shielding.