Upland Municipal Code Chapter 17.14 prohibits light trespass that results in glare and requires that outdoor lighting be shielded and directed so no direct light falls outside the property line or into the public right-of-way. The code targets zero measurable foot-candles at the property line. Flashing, blinking, or color-changing lights that can be confused with traffic or emergency signals are prohibited.
Light trespass in the City of Upland is addressed directly by Chapter 17.14 of the Municipal Code, the outdoor lighting ordinance. The chapter's stated purpose includes reducing light trespass and glare to protect neighbors and the community. Operationally, all residential lighting over 750 lumens per fixture and all non-residential outdoor lighting must be adequately shielded and directed so that no direct light falls outside the property line or into the public right-of-way; residential fixtures of 750 lumens or below are exempt from shielding but must still avoid glare. The code expressly states that light trespass that results in glare is prohibited. For new development with common areas, the standard is a minimum of 1.0 foot-candle on walkways and parking lots while maintaining zero measurable foot-candle power at the property line — meaning a neighbor's property should receive no measurable spill light. Luminaires must be designed with horizontal cutoff so the lower edge of the housing blocks any light above the horizontal plane. The ordinance also prohibits lighting that flashes, flickers, blinks, changes color, or changes intensity in a way that is distracting or may be confused with traffic or emergency signals. A neighbor experiencing spill light or glare can contact Code Enforcement, which can require shielding or re-aiming. This is the incorporated City of Upland's standard, separate from unincorporated San Bernardino County.
Allowing direct light or glare to cross onto a neighbor's property or into the public right-of-way, producing measurable foot-candles at the property line, or operating flashing/color-changing lighting that can be confused with traffic or emergency signals violates Chapter 17.14. Code Enforcement can require the offending fixtures to be shielded, re-aimed, dimmed, or removed.
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