Fresno County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance § 820.3.080(A)(2)(b)
- Light trespass limit
- 0.5 foot-candles onto abutting property
- Lighted-area intensity cap
- 7 foot-candles within the required area
- Pedestrian light overlap cap
- 7-foot maximum overlap between patterns
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $500 fine or 180 days jail
Summary
Fresno County limits how much light a property owner can throw onto a neighbor's land under Zoning Ordinance Section 820.3.080. Indirect illumination of abutting properties cannot exceed 0.5 foot-candles, and lighted areas cannot exceed seven foot-candles or a seven-foot overlap between pedestrian light patterns.
820.3.080 - Exterior Light and Glare
A. Exterior lighting.
2. Exterior lighting shall not:
a. Exceed 150 watts or directly illuminate or be visible from abutting properties.
b. Result in:
(1) Indirect illumination of abutting properties in excess of 0.5-foot candles;
(2) A point of overlap between light patterns greater than seven feet for pedestrian lighting systems; or
(3) An intensity of lighting within the physical limits of an area required to be lighted that is greater than seven-foot candles.
B. Security lighting. Security lighting shall be provided at all entrances/exits to structures. The minimum illumination shall be two foot-candles at ground level in front of the entrance/exit.
Full Breakdown
080(A)(2)(b) of the Fresno County Zoning Ordinance sets a specific numeric ceiling on light trespass from one property onto another in the unincorporated county. 5-foot candles. The same subsection also limits lighting intensity generally: the overlap between light patterns for pedestrian lighting systems cannot exceed seven feet, and the lighting intensity within the physical limits of an area required to be lighted cannot exceed seven-foot candles. These trespass and intensity limits work alongside the shielding and downward-direction requirements in the same section, which independently require that direct light and glare stay within the boundaries of the parcel where the fixture is installed and that the light source not be directly visible from an abutting property.
5 foot-candle threshold, a level roughly equivalent to bright moonlight. The Director applies these standards during Site Plan Review for new commercial, industrial, and multi-family development, and complaints about existing residential lighting that spills onto a neighboring parcel are handled as County code enforcement matters, measured with a light meter at the property line.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that indirectly illuminates a neighboring parcel above 0.5 foot-candles, measured at the property line, violates Section 820.3.080. Because the light trespass standard sits inside the Zoning Ordinance, Section 878.6.030 makes the violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500, up to 180 days in county jail, or both, with continuing exposure billed as a separate daily offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's property in Fresno County?
Is there a maximum brightness for lighted areas like parking lots?
How does the county measure a light trespass complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.