Norman, OK Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Max spillover
- 0.2 footcandles at a residential property line
- Measured
- any point on the line, adjacent or across the street
- Pole height near homes
- 20 ft max within 25 ft of residential line
- Pole height elsewhere
- 30 ft max
- Shielding
- must be permanently installed
- Accent lighting
- also capped at 0.2 footcandles onto residential lots
Summary
NCC 36-549 caps light spilling onto neighboring single- or two-family property at 0.2 footcandles measured at the property line, with permanent shielding required on pole-mounted fixtures to keep it that way. Light poles within 25 feet of a residential line are also capped at 20 feet tall.
Pole mounted lights. The maximum light level at any point on a property line of a parcel zoned or used for single- or two-family dwellings, located either adjacent to or across the street from the subject property, shall not exceed 0.2 footcandles. Shielding must be permanently installed to ensure continued compliance with this requirement. Parking lots should be illuminated to a minimum level of 0.2 footcandles. Light poles installed within 25 feet of any residential property line or public right-of-way may not exceed 20 feet in height. All other light poles may not exceed 30 feet in height except in instances of the expansion of a development, pole height may correspond with the height of existing poles. Height is measured to the underside of the lens and includes any concrete base.
Full Breakdown
2 footcandles, and shielding on those poles must be permanently installed rather than a temporary fix. 2 footcandle minimum, so the standard works as both floor and ceiling depending which side of the property line is being measured. Pole height is separately capped: any light pole within 25 feet of a residential property line or public right-of-way may not exceed 20 feet, measured to the underside of the lens including the concrete base, while poles farther away can go up to 30 feet. 2 footcandles onto an adjacent or facing single- or two-family lot.
Enforcement is complaint-driven, using the same Code Enforcement or Police Officer investigation that applies to the section's broader lighting standards, and violations that go uncorrected are treated as ordinary Chapter 36 violations.
Violations & Fines
Once a Code Enforcement or Police Officer measures light spillover above 0.2 footcandles at a residential property line, the fixture's owner must shield, re-aim, or replace it with a full cut-off fixture; refusing is enforced under NCC 36-569 with fines of $50 to $750 per day of continued noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can a commercial parking lot light be at my property line in Norman?
How tall can a parking lot light pole be near my house?
What can I do if a neighboring business's lights shine into my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norman
Compare Norman to another location·View the Oklahoma outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.