Oklahoma County, OK Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Oklahoma County addresses light trespass primarily through municipal commercial lighting codes and common-law nuisance doctrine. Oklahoma City §59-9805 sets quantitative limits — 0.5 foot-candles maximum at property lines abutting residential zones and 2.0 fc at commercial boundaries. For residential-to-residential light trespass, enforcement relies on the nuisance provisions of OKC §35-21 and Oklahoma common law recognized in Cox v. Smith (1979 OK). Security floodlights must be aimed and shielded to illuminate only the owner's property — fixtures directed at neighbors' bedroom windows or creating glare for drivers can be abated. Motion-sensor lights preferred over constant-on floodlights. Holiday string lights and decorative lighting receive temporary exemptions typically 45 days before through 30 days after a holiday. Commercial parking lot lighting that spills into adjacent residential areas can result in fines up to $1,000 and permit review. Edmond Code §22-301 mirrors OKC requirements. Enforcement is complaint-driven — Code Enforcement investigates and measures foot-candles at the property line with a calibrated meter. Corrective actions include re-aiming fixtures, adding shields, reducing wattage, or installing timers.