Olathe, KS Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- § 6.06.045
- Standard
- Glare across property line = nuisance
- Exempt
- Street lights, stadiums, athletic fields
- Enforcement
- Neighbor may file in Municipal Court
Summary
Olathe bans outdoor lighting on private property that throws glare or direct illumination across a property line in a residential area strongly enough to be a nuisance, and requires fixtures to control the beam.
(A) No person shall install, maintain and/or use an outdoor visible light or other source of illumination which is on private property and produces glare or direct illumination across a property line in a residential area of such intensity that it creates a nuisance or unreasonably interferes with the use or enjoyment of adjacent property. (B) Outside lights must be made up of a light source and reflector so that, acting together, the light beam is controlled and not directed across a property line.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-39, passed July 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Olathe Municipal Code § 6.06.045(A) prohibits installing, maintaining, or using an outdoor light on private property that produces glare or direct illumination across a property line in a residential area intense enough to create a nuisance or unreasonably interfere with a neighbor's use of their property. Subsection (B) requires the light source and reflector to control the beam so it isn't directed across the property line. Street lights and lighting for outdoor stadiums, amphitheaters, or athletic fields are exempt under § 6.06.045(C). A violation is deemed a nuisance, and affected neighbors may sign a complaint directly in Municipal Court under § 6.06.045(D).
Violations & Fines
Unlawful outdoor illumination is a nuisance a neighbor can pursue directly in Municipal Court under § 6.06.045(D); general chapter violations carry a fine of $50 to $500, or up to 30 days in jail, under § 6.06.150.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my neighbor's floodlight shining into my yard be illegal in Olathe?
Do sports field lights count as light trespass in Olathe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olathe
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