Nevada County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

While unincorporated Nevada County does not have a separate ordinance titled 'light trespass,' the issue is addressed through the shielding and confinement requirements in the County's zoning site-development standards. For off-street parking and loading facilities, all artificial illumination must be installed, directed, and shielded to confine all direct rays of artificial light within the boundaries of the facility, which directly prevents light from spilling onto adjacent properties or roadways. The County's sign-lighting standard (Section L-II 4.2.12.K.7) similarly requires that, when lighted, signs be illuminated by continuous, non-pulsating, shielded, stationary light sources, with any external spot or flood lighting arranged so the light source is screened from direct view. For discretionary development, the County typically requires a lighting plan describing fixture type, location, height, and positioning, allowing staff to confirm that fixtures will not cast glare or direct light beyond the parcel. These standards give neighbors a basis to seek correction of glare or spill-light from a permitted development. Because the County relies on these standards rather than a numeric illuminance (foot-candle) limit at property lines, complaints about light trespass from existing residential fixtures are generally handled through code enforcement and nuisance review; residents experiencing light trespass should contact the Community Development Agency's code compliance staff.