Sonoma County's Zoning Regulations (Chapter 26) address light spillover onto neighboring properties through use-specific standards and design review rather than a single trespass ordinance. Regulated uses must use fully shielded, downward-cast lighting so it does not wash onto other properties, and certain uses cap illuminance at the property line.
Light trespass, light spilling from one property onto another, is controlled in unincorporated Sonoma County through development standards in the County Zoning Regulations (Chapter 26) and the design-review process (Article 82), rather than a stand-alone trespass ordinance applying to all yard lighting. Across multiple special-use standards in Article 88, exterior lighting must be fully shielded and downward-casting so that it does not wash out onto structures, neighboring properties, or the night sky. For certain regulated uses, the County imposes a numeric spillover limit, such as total illuminance beyond the property line not exceeding 1.0 lux and fixtures not exceeding 1,000 lumens in specified contexts. Solar facilities must not direct concentrated reflections or glare at occupied structures, recreation areas, roads, highways, or airports (Sec. 26-88-206). Projects subject to design review under Sec. 26-82-050 are evaluated to ensure lighting does not produce glare or spillover affecting adjacent parcels. For ordinary residential lighting not tied to a regulated use or discretionary permit, complaints about a neighbor's light shining onto your property are typically handled as nuisance matters or through the design-review conditions on the project that created the lighting. Owners installing significant exterior lighting should aim fixtures downward, shield the source, and avoid directing light or glare across property lines.
Lighting that spills onto neighboring properties in violation of a project's design-review conditions or a use-specific lighting standard, or that exceeds an applicable property-line illuminance limit, can prompt enforcement or required fixture changes.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Petaluma, CA
Persistent dog barking in Petaluma is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs neighbors can ...
Petaluma, CA
Construction noise in Petaluma is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — generally 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with more limited weekend hours and n...
Petaluma, CA
Petaluma Code Ch. 10.68 (Alcohol-Related Nuisance Ordinance) supplements general noise standards for parties involving alcohol. Property owners and hosts may...
Petaluma, CA
Leaf blowers and other power lawn equipment fall under Petaluma's general noise standards (IZO §21.040) and construction-hour standards. Use outside permitte...
Petaluma, CA
Driveway approaches in Petaluma require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved paved surface, ...
Petaluma, CA
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in Petaluma is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement (typically a paved area) and prohibits living ...
See how Petaluma's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.