St. George, UT Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies To
- All outdoor lighting except single-family homes
- Shielding Standard
- Fully shielded, opaque, downward-directed
- Property-Line Limit
- 1 foot-candle maximum
- Motion-Sensor Exemption
- 900 lumens or less, self-timed off
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor citywide
Summary
St. George requires all outdoor lighting, including security fixtures, to be fully shielded and aimed downward so no light escapes upward or trespasses onto neighboring property, under Chapter 14 of the zoning code.
Unless specifically exempted below, all outdoor lighting shall be fully shielded and downward directed in compliance with the following: a. No artificial light source shall project direct artificial light into the nighttime sky; b. No artificial light source shall be placed at a location, angle, or height that creates a light trespass; c. The shielding shall be made of completely opaque material such that light escapes only through the bottom.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
St. George's Chapter 14 outdoor lighting standard requires every outdoor light fixture except those at detached single-family homes to be fully shielded with opaque housing and directed downward, so no artificial light shines into the night sky or trespasses onto neighboring land. Spot or flood lighting mounted on a building or structure is separately prohibited, and property lighting cannot exceed one foot-candle at the lot line. A motion-sensor security light stays exempt only if its output is 900 lumens or less, it is shielded against trespass, and it shuts off within ten minutes after motion stops. Compliance is verified through photometric plans submitted with permit applications.
Violations & Fines
Violating St. George's outdoor lighting shielding standard is a class C misdemeanor under the zoning code's general penalty section, and the city can also seek an injunction to force compliance or removal of noncompliant fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do security lights need to be shielded in St. George?
Are motion-activated security lights exempt?
Can I mount a floodlight on my house wall?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
Compare St. George to another location·View the Utah outdoor lighting overview
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