Philadelphia, PA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Under Zoning Code § 14-707, most exterior site and parking lot lighting installed on private lots must be shielded so the light source is not visible from any Residential district and so light doesn't spill past the property line. Fixtures must hit at least 80 lumens per watt of energy consumed. Pole and wall-mounted light height is capped at 20 ft. in Residential districts, 25-35 ft. in Commercial/Special Purpose districts, and 25-50 ft. in Industrial districts depending on proximity to homes. Strobe lights visible from another property are barred except for the Port Authority or Division of Aviation, and rotating lights can't be visible from any public street. Single-family and two-family homes, public recreational/sporting/concert lighting, emergency work lighting, short temporary events, and seasonal lighting under 60 days a year are all exempt. Zoning permit applicants subject to this section must submit a lighting plan sealed by a licensed architect or professional civil engineer showing compliance.