Santa Monica, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Light trespass limit
- 0.5 foot-candles on any adjacent property
- Required fixture standard
- IESNA 'Cut Off' or 'Full Cut Off'
- Max pole height (residential)
- 16 feet
- Max pole height (nonresidential)
- 26 feet
- Spotlights above horizon
- Prohibited midnight to sunrise
Summary
Exterior lighting may not spill onto neighboring properties at more than 0.5 foot-candles, and all fixtures must use IESNA 'Cut Off' or 'Full Cut Off' optics to prevent glare onto streets and adjacent land.
3. Shielding. All lighting fixtures shall be shielded so as not to produce obtrusive glare onto the public right-of-way or adjacent properties. All luminaries shall meet the most recently adopted criteria of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for "Cut Off" or "Full Cut Off" luminaries. 4. Light Trespass. Lighting may not illuminate other properties in excess of a measurement of 0.5 foot candles of light. 5. Maximum Height. The maximum height for exterior lighting shall be as follows: a. Residential, Ocean Park Oceanfront Districts: 16 feet. b. Nonresidential Districts: 26 feet. D. Spotlights and Flood Lighting. Spotlights and flood lighting are permitted for the purpose of emphasizing architectural accents or details on buildings, sculptures, or landscaping, as long as such lighting does not create light trespass. Such lighting shall be prohibited between the hours of midnight and sunrise if projected above the horizon.
Full Breakdown
The 0.5 foot-candle trespass limit applies citywide to all new or replaced exterior lighting. All luminaires must comply with IESNA Cut Off or Full Cut Off criteria, which direct light downward and eliminate upward spill. Maximum pole heights are 16 feet in residential and Ocean Park Oceanfront districts and 26 feet in nonresidential districts. Spotlights and flood lighting are permitted for architectural accent purposes as long as they do not cause light trespass, and must not be aimed above the horizon between midnight and sunrise.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant lighting is subject to code enforcement; property owners may be required to replace fixtures, add shields, redirect lamps, or reduce output to comply with the 0.5 foot-candle limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's security light shines into my bedroom: what's the legal limit?
What type of fixtures do I need for outdoor lighting?
Are uplights for landscaping or buildings allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle light trespass & shielding.