Bexar County, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Because Texas counties cannot zone or adopt general nuisance ordinances, Bexar County has no countywide light trespass ordinance applicable to residential properties outside of the Camp Bullis Military Lighting Overlay. A homeowner troubled by a neighbor's floodlight, unshielded porch light, or commercial sign glare generally has three options. First, pursue the matter through the HOA architectural review process if both properties are in a subdivision with recorded design guidelines, which frequently require shielded fixtures and prohibit glare crossing property lines. Second, bring a private nuisance suit in Bexar County court: Texas law recognizes light that materially interferes with the use and enjoyment of property as a potential nuisance, though courts require the interference to be substantial and unreasonable. Third, if the offending property is within an incorporated city in Bexar County such as San Antonio, Schertz, or Converse, the city nuisance and property maintenance codes may cover glare and light pollution. Within the Camp Bullis 5-mile overlay, the county can enforce its lighting requirements directly. Commercial properties with parking lot lighting are also subject to TCEQ and city standards in some cases.