Olympia, WA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

The citywide lighting rule in the City of Olympia is subsection D of OMC 18.40.060, General standards. It reads in one sentence: all display and flood lighting must be built and used so as not to unduly illuminate the surrounding properties and not to create a traffic hazard. The section states that its standards apply to more than one land use district and are in addition to the standards and design guidelines in each district chapter. Under OMC 18.40.040, the chapter reaches all new construction, grading, additions and modifications to an existing structure in excess of 25 percent of the structure floor area, and all continuing operations and uses must conform to its Protection Standards.

Downtown Olympia has a numeric version. OMC 18.120.360 lists its intent as reducing horizontal light glare and vertical light trespass from a development onto adjacent parcels and natural features. It applies to all developments and substantial re-developments in all Downtown Sub-Districts. Subsection B.2.b says exterior lighting cannot spill onto adjacent properties. Parking area fixtures must be fully shielded, Dark Sky Approved, and mounted no more than 20 feet above the ground, or 15 feet in the Residential Neighborhood Sub-District. Pedestrian lighting cannot exceed 15 feet in height. The maximum exterior light level anywhere in the development is 5 foot candles, measured on the ground, and highly contrasting pools of light and dark are prohibited. These requirements yield only where the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the City a compelling reason they cannot be met.

Parking lot siting carries a similar test. When the Hearing Examiner is asked under OMC 18.38.200(B)(2) to allow surface parking in front of or beside a building in a residential zone, outdoor lighting must be designed with regard to placement, intensity, shielding, timing and color to avoid offsite spillover, and the site must screen vehicular headlights from residences.