Yakima County, WA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- General standard
- shield & direct light downward onto site
- Applies to
- all uses and signs countywide, § 19.10.040(10)
- Sign-specific rule
- full shielding required, § 19.20.095
- Festival-specific rule
- shield nuisance/glare, § 8.10.116
- Penalty, days 1-30
- $500
- Penalty, day 31+
- $35 per day
Summary
Every exterior light fixture on a use or sign in unincorporated Yakima County has to be shielded and aimed downward onto the site under YCC § 19.10.040(10), so it doesn't spill glare or light intrusion onto a neighboring residential property or blind passing drivers.
(10) Exterior Lighting. Exterior lighting is regulated to minimize light pollution to neighboring properties and encourage true-color, full-spectrum light rendition in projects. Exterior lighting for all uses and signs shall be directed downward and otherwise arranged, fully shaded, screened, shielded, and of a design that results in the light being directed onto the site and of an intensity or brightness that does not reflect or cause glare or light intrusion into any adjacent or nearby residential use or interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicles. See Figures 19.10.040-3 and 19.10.040-4 below.
Figure 19.10.040-3. Lighting sources shielded to minimize light pollution and intrusion onto neighboring uses.
Figure 19.10.040-4. Examples of acceptable and unacceptable fixtures for shielding of exterior light.
(11) Floodplain Development. A pre-application meeting and a Flood Hazard Permit application is required for all new developments in floodplains in order to minimize and mitigate potential adverse impacts to property and infrastructure while reducing risks to public health and safety. Yakima County will utilize existing flood hazard data and mapping to assist applicants with the layout and design of their proposal. If the potential adverse impacts cannot be mitigated through the Flood Hazard Permit under YCC § 16C.05 and 16D.05, a critical areas and shoreline permit will be required under Yakima County Critical Areas and Shoreline codes.
(12)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4871853; v6 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
" The standard is not limited to any one zone or use: it covers lighting for "all uses and signs," and requires fixtures to be directed downward and otherwise arranged, fully shaded, screened, and shielded so the light lands on the site itself rather than reflecting or causing glare or light intrusion onto an adjacent or nearby residential use, or interfering with the safe operation of motor vehicles on nearby roads. 040-3 and -4) showing acceptable shielded fixtures versus unacceptable glare sources to guide compliance during site plan review.
116. 020(12)) expressly extends to Title 19 violations. 04-1: $500 for the first 30 days of noncompliance, then $35 for every additional day the glare or light trespass continues.
Violations & Fines
A confirmed exterior-lighting violation under § 19.10.040(10) that isn't corrected after a notice of violation draws a monetary penalty of $500 for the first 30 days and $35 per day after that under YCC § 21.04.040, Table 21.04-1, on top of any civil infraction or misdemeanor exposure under YCC § 13.25.020 and Title 21, Chapter 21.04. Repeat or egregious violators can be assessed the penalty immediately at the Code Enforcement Official's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yakima County regulate light trespass from a neighbor's property?
Are illuminated signs treated differently from other outdoor lighting?
What happens if I don't fix a lighting complaint?
Does a temporary event like a festival have its own lighting rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
Compare Yakima County to another location·View the Washington outdoor lighting overview
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