Louisville, KY Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Low/medium-density residential cap
- 0.25 footcandles at property line
- High-density residential/ROW cap
- 0.5 footcandles at property line
- General rule
- no light may shine directly onto adjoining property
- Governing code
- Land Development Code Ch. 4 Part 1
- Applies to
- Louisville Metro zoned parcels
Summary
Louisville Metro caps spillover light at 0.25 footcandles on low- to medium-density residential borders and 0.5 footcandles on high-density or right-of-way borders.
The level of lighting resultant from luminaires installed on a subject site shall not exceed 0.25 footcandles at any property border adjoining a low- to medium-density residentially zoned or used ... property border, and .5 footcandles on any high-density residentially zoned or used ... property border, or public right of way parcel of land. ... any lighting shall be arranged so as not to shine directly on an adjoining property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro's Land Development Code sets numeric light trespass limits measured at the property line. Light from luminaires on a site cannot exceed 0.25 footcandles where the adjoining property is zoned or used low- to medium-density residential (R-R, R-E, R-1 through R-5, PRD, PVD, R-5A, R-5B), or 0.5 footcandles against high-density residential zones (TNZD, U-N, R-6, R-7, R-8A) or a public right-of-way. Beyond the numeric cap, the code separately requires that lighting in every zoning and form district be arranged so it does not shine directly onto an adjoining property. Planning & Design Services reviews lighting plans and inspectors take footcandle readings at the property line to check compliance. Home rule cities inside Jefferson County (Anchorage, Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, etc.) may enforce their own separate lighting standards.
Violations & Fines
Inspectors take a footcandle reading at the property line with an approved light meter; readings above the cap are a code violation enforced through Planning & Design Services' zoning enforcement process, which can require fixture shielding, re-aiming, or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can cross onto my neighbor's yard in Louisville?
Does this apply in cities like Jeffersontown or St. Matthews?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
Compare Louisville to another location·View the Kentucky outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.