Pierce County's exterior illumination standards in PCC 18J.15.085 require lighting to avoid glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties, keeping illumination on the premises it is intended to light.
PCC 18J.15.085 directs exterior lighting in unincorporated Pierce County to promote compatibility between land uses by reducing light impacts on users of the site and surrounding areas and to avoid and minimize glare and light trespass beyond the illuminated area. Illumination may not cast beyond the premises it is intended to illuminate. Prevention methods include light shielding, downward directional lighting, and specialized fixture optics, and light sources must be hidden from public view with opaque housings. These standards apply primarily to development and commercial projects reviewed under Title 18J; residential glare and spillover onto neighbors may also be pursued as a nuisance. Neighbors bothered by spillover should first document the offending fixture and contact Planning and Public Works.
Lighting that casts glare or spill beyond the property on a regulated project can require reshielding, redirection, or optic changes; persistent residential spillover may be treated as a nuisance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
pierce-county-wa
Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
pierce-county-wa
Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
pierce-county-wa
Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to...
pierce-county-wa
Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger sy...
pierce-county-wa
Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider — mainly Tacoma Water and l...
pierce-county-wa
Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
See how Pierce County'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.