Manitou Springs, CO Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Max light 20 ft. past property line
- 0.1 footcandles
- Max on-site footcandles
- 10 footcandles
- Includes
- building spillage and signage light
- Recreational lighting property-line cap
- 2 footcandles
- Purpose stated
- reduce light trespass and glare
Summary
Manitou Springs limits how much light a property can cast onto its neighbors: on-site illumination cannot exceed 10 footcandles, and light measured 20 feet beyond the property line can never exceed 0.1 footcandles from that on-site lighting, a standard written directly into the exterior lighting chapter's stated purpose of reducing light trespass.
A.The intent of these standards is to increase safety, reduce crime, minimize the negative impacts of adverse offsite impacts including light trespass and glare on surrounding uses, improve views of the night sky, reduce impact to wildlife habitat, and generally conserve energy. ... C.Maximum on-site footcandles shall not exceed ten footcandles. In areas adjacent to buildings, said ten footcandle maximum shall include light spillage from within the building as well as light from signage. ... D.Light levels measured twenty feet beyond the site property line shall never exceed 0.1 footcandles as a direct result of the on-site lighting.
Full Breakdown
A states the intent of the exterior lighting standards is to reduce adverse offsite impacts including light trespass and glare on surrounding uses, alongside improving views of the night sky and reducing impacts to wildlife habitat. 4 carry that purpose into an enforceable rule. Subsection C caps on-site footcandles at 10, and clarifies that near buildings, that 10-footcandle ceiling includes light spilling from inside the building and from signage, not just dedicated site lighting. 1 footcandles as a direct result of on-site lighting, a threshold roughly equivalent to bright moonlight and far below typical porch or security lighting if left unshielded.
06, covering both new commercial lighting plans and residential properties bringing existing fixtures into compliance. I, which allows a higher 2-footcandle limit at the property line but only with taller, purpose-built light poles up to 40 feet.
Violations & Fines
A lighting plan showing noncompliant footcandle levels can be rejected at the Development Plan review stage, and lighting installed without approval is subject to the same complaint-driven enforcement as other LUDC violations: the Neighborhood Services Officer investigates and issues a written order under Section 18.06.4.29. Conviction carries the Section 1.01.100 penalty of a fine up to $2,650, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, with each day of noncompliant lighting a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can cross onto a neighbor's property in Manitou Springs?
Is there a limit on how bright lighting can be on my own property?
Do sports field lights follow the same limit?
What is the city's stated reason for these lighting limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manitou Springs
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