Portland, OR Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Glare limit
- 0.5 foot candles on neighbor's land
- Strobe lights
- banned if visible off-site
- Applies to
- R, C, CI, IR, OS zone nonresidential uses
- Measured from
- property line or affected property
- Exempt
- equipment in place before rule took effect
Summary
Portland caps glare from nonresidential lighting at 0.5 foot candles measured on a neighboring property and bans strobe lights visible from adjacent land, under the city's off-site impacts standards for commercial and industrial zones.
A. Glare standard. Glare is illumination caused by all types of lighting and from high temperature processes such as welding or metallurgical refining. Glare may not directly, or indirectly from reflection, cause illumination on other properties in excess of a measurement of 0.5 foot candles of light. B. Strobe lights. Strobe lights visible from another property are not allowed.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 33.262.080 caps glare, illumination from any lighting or high-temperature process like welding, at 0.5 foot candles measured on a neighboring property, whether the light arrives directly or by reflection. Strobe lights visible from another property are banned outright. The standard applies to nonresidential uses in the R, C, CI, IR, and OS zones under Title 33's off-site impacts chapter, not to residential lighting or equipment already in place before the rule took effect. Measurements are taken from the property line or within the affected property; if the City lacks the equipment, it can hire an independent expert, and costs fall on the violator if the complaint proves out.
Violations & Fines
Confirmed glare violations shift measurement costs to the violator, and unpaid charges are themselves a Code violation enforced under Title 22, Portland's general code enforcement chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to residential porch lights in Portland?
What if a business's security light shines onto my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon outdoor lighting overview
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