Light trespass, a neighbor's glare spilling onto your property, is controlled by town outdoor-lighting bylaws across Essex County, not by state law. Fixtures must be shielded to keep light on-site.
Essex towns with lighting bylaws bar light from crossing property lines. Rowley, Rockport, and similar communities require fixtures aimed and shielded so direct glare and spill light stay within the owner's parcel, capping illumination at the boundary. The standard applies to new construction and floodlights added under permit. A homeowner bothered by a neighbor's spillover complains to the building or zoning enforcement officer, who orders reaiming or shielding.
A fixture throwing glare onto adjoining land brings an enforcement order to shield, reaim, or lower it, with fines for owners who ignore the notice.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Swampscott's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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