Tyler, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Light trespass
- Prohibited (Sec. 10-443)
- Residential property line
- 0.2 foot-candles
- Nonresidential property line
- 1 foot-candle
- Glare toward streets
- Prohibited
- Enforcement
- Tyler code enforcement
Summary
Tyler's Unified Development Code prohibits lighting that unnecessarily illuminates and substantially interferes with a neighbor's use or enjoyment of their property, and bars glare aimed at streets. Illumination at a residential property line is capped at 0.2 foot-candles.
Lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of any other lot is prohibited. ... Lighting must not be oriented so as to direct glare or excessive illumination onto streets in a manner that may distract or interfere with the vision of drivers on such streets.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: July 2026: Including amendments through July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-443 of the Tyler Unified Development Code addresses light trespass directly: lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of another lot is prohibited, and lighting may not be oriented to direct glare or excessive illumination onto streets in a way that distracts drivers. Sec. 10-440 backs this with hard limits, requiring fully shielded fixtures and capping illumination at the property line at 0.2 foot-candles beside residential uses and 1 foot-candle beside nonresidential areas, measured three feet above the line. Complaints about light spilling onto neighboring property are handled by Tyler code enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Light that spills onto a neighboring property beyond code limits is a violation enforced by Tyler code enforcement, which can order the lighting corrected or shielded; unresolved cases proceed to municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's light shines into my yard. Is that illegal in Tyler?
Is there a limit on light crossing property lines?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tyler
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Tyler to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
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