Los Banos, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Municipal Code Title 9, Article 33
- Residential buffer
- 15 feet: aimed away and shielded
- Building luminance cap
- 10 foot-candles maximum
- Grandfathered glare fix
- 90 days after City notice
- Civil penalty
- $50-$1,000 individual, up to $10,000 corporation
- Enforcement
- Code Enforcement Officer, 30-day abatement notice
Summary
Los Banos's outdoor lighting ordinance defines light trespass as light shining beyond a property's boundaries and requires fixtures to be fully shielded from adjacent properties. Any fixture within 15 feet of a residential zoned property or public right-of-way must be aimed away and shielded, with violations pursued as a civil infraction.
Light trespass.The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located. ... Lamp Illumination. The illumination from a lamp shall be fully shielded from view from adjacent properties and public right-of-ways, except as otherwise permitted herein. ... Lighting Adjacent to Residentially Zone Property. Standards for lights adjacent to or within fifteen (15′) feet from a residential zoned property, or public right-of-way shall be: (1) Aimed away from the property line or right-of-way; (2) Shielded on the side facing the residential property or public right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
3303 require that when a nonconforming fixture is removed it can only be replaced by a fixture that is fully shielded and mounted in compliance with IESNA full cut-off standards, and that landscaping be trimmed so it never blocks required security lighting. 3308(f) applies to any fixture "adjacent to or within fifteen (15′) feet from a residential zoned property, or public right-of-way," and requires that fixture be aimed away from the property line and shielded on the side facing the residential property. 3308(c). 3309 only where special circumstances apply to the specific site and the relief requested is the minimum necessary.
3312, but a grandfathered luminaire that is replaced or moved must meet current standards, and any luminaire causing disability glare to motorists or cyclists must be shielded or redirected within 90 days of a City notification. 3313.
Violations & Fines
A light-trespass violation is a civil infraction under § 9-3.3317, with each day a separate offense. The Code Enforcement Officer must give written notice by hand delivery or certified mail demanding abatement within 30 days; if the fixture is not corrected, the City may sue to enjoin or abate the violation and collect civil penalties of $50 to $1,000 per violation for an individual, or up to $10,000 for a corporation, with no suspension of the fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as light trespass in Los Banos?
How close can outdoor lighting be to my neighbor's house?
What happens if my outdoor light was installed before the ordinance?
What's the penalty for a light-trespass violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Banos to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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