Santa Clara, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Core standard
- No fixture illuminates off-site
- Sports/activity field cap
- 0.1 foot-candle at adjacent parcel
- Field lights curfew
- Off within 1 hour post-event
- Accent lighting rule
- Low-intensity, no glare/trespass
- Governing section
- SCCC § 18.40.080(E)
Summary
Santa Clara's Zoning Code bars light fixtures from directly illuminating anything outside the project site. Section 18.40.080(E) requires every outdoor fixture to be shielded and aimed downward or at a structure so glare and trespass stay off adjoining properties and rights-of-way, and it sets a hard 0.1 foot-candle ceiling at the property line for sports-field and outdoor-activity lighting.
1. Nuisance Prevention. All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site. ... 5. Sports Fields/Outdoor Activity Areas. Where playing fields or other specialty activity areas are to be illuminated, lighting fixtures shall be mounted, aimed, and shielded so that the light falls within the primary playing area and that light levels at the adjacent parcel are less than 0.1 foot-candle. Additionally, the lights shall be turned off within one hour after the end of the event. ... 8. Accent Lighting. Architectural features may be illuminated by up-lighting, provided that the lamps are low-intensity and no glare or light trespass is produced.
Full Breakdown
080(E)(1), Nuisance Prevention, requires all outdoor lighting citywide to be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained so that it prevents glare, light trespass, and light pollution onto adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, and specifically so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site. 1 foot-candle, and those field lights must be turned off within one hour after the event ends. 8 extends the same no-trespass standard to architectural accent lighting: up-lighting of building features is allowed only with low-intensity lamps that produce no glare or light trespass.
All of these standards are checked at permit review under Subsection B whenever a Building Permit, Electrical Permit, or discretionary approval is sought, and the Review Authority can require design changes before signing off. 080 compliance check, separate from any private nuisance claim under state law.
Violations & Fines
Light trespass that violates Section 18.40.080(E) is enforced as a Title 18 violation under SCCC Section 18.152.070, a strict-liability offense that does not require proof of intent. City Code Enforcement staff can issue a notice of violation or stop-work order, and a violator is guilty of an infraction or misdemeanor under SCCC Section 1.05.070, carrying fines of $100 to $500 for infractions or up to $1,000 and six months in jail for a misdemeanor, plus the City's cost of enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business's parking lot lights shine into my Santa Clara backyard?
Is there a numeric limit on light spilling onto neighboring property from a lit sports field?
Does Santa Clara regulate uplighting on building facades?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle light trespass & shielding.