Light trespass limited to 0.5 foot-candles at residential property lines under the Zoning Ordinance. Complaints handled through MC311 and DPS code enforcement.
Under Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 59, Division 6.4, outdoor lighting from any property must not produce illumination exceeding 0.5 foot-candles measured at the nearest residential property line. Commercial and institutional properties adjacent to residential zones must use shielded fixtures and orient them away from residences. Glare from unshielded lights, floodlights aimed at neighboring properties, or overly bright security lighting are common sources of complaints. The DPS code enforcement division investigates light trespass complaints, which can be filed through MC311. Remedies include requiring the offending property to install shielding, redirect fixtures, reduce wattage, or add timers. The county can issue violation notices requiring correction within 30 days. Persistent offenders face escalating fines. New commercial developments must submit photometric plans during site plan review showing compliance at all adjacent property lines.
Violation notice with 30-day correction period. Fines start at $100 per violation after the correction period expires. Escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Takoma Park, MD
Takoma Park sets residential decibel limits at 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime under Ordinance 2002-35. If ambient noise already exceeds these thresholds...
Takoma Park, MD
Takoma Park adopts Montgomery County construction noise standards (MoCo Code 31B-6) by reference. Weekday construction is allowed 7 AM to 5 PM at up to 75 dB...
Takoma Park, MD
Outdoor music in Takoma Park must comply with 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime limits. Events with amplified outdoor music require a temporary waiver requ...
Takoma Park, MD
Under Chapter 14.12 Section 9, no person may allow a dog or other animal to persistently, habitually, or continuously bark, howl, or yelp causing a noise dis...
Takoma Park, MD
Industrial and commercial noise in Takoma Park must meet the same residential decibel limits as all other sources: 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime at the...
Takoma Park, MD
Takoma Park has among the strictest leaf blower rules in the DC metro. The city noise ordinance (Ch. 14.12, Sec. 8) caps all leaf blowers at 70 dBA at 50 fee...
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