Vancouver requires all outdoor lighting to be shielded and directed to prevent glare beyond parcel boundaries. Fixtures near low-density residential zones must be at or below 15 feet and aimed away from neighboring homes. Maximum vertical surface illumination is 3 footcandles in dark surroundings and 5 in light surroundings.
VMC Ch. 20.935 (Off-Site Impacts) prohibits lighting that creates glare beyond the subject parcel's boundaries. Section 20.945.040 requires all off-street parking lighting to be directed away from adjacent residential zones. Fixtures within 50 feet of low- or low-moderate-density residential zones (≤R-6 density) must be no higher than 15 feet above grade and must be aimed and shielded to avoid illuminating adjacent residential areas. Maximum vertical surface illumination is 3 footcandles in dark surroundings and 5 footcandles in light surroundings. Landscaping lighting must be diffused or muted and minimize light escaping to neighboring properties or the night sky. Enforcement via VMC Title 22.
Lighting violations enforced under VMC Title 22 code compliance process. City may require immediate correction, issue civil penalties, or require retrofitting of non-compliant fixtures.
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver prohibits leaving any vehicle parked on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. Officers attach a notification sticker; if the vehicle ...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Municipal Code Chapter 20.912 governs all fences, walls, and retaining walls citywide. Residential fences have tiered height limits by yard locat...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver has no dedicated local ordinance banning wildlife feeding. Washington state law prohibits feeding large wild carnivores and, since May 2025, feedin...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows hens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and similar domestic animals in all zoning districts for hobby use with no minimum lot size. Roosters, turkeys,...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Land Use and Development Code (VMC Chapter 20.925) encourages but does not universally mandate native plants. For development projects, native an...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 8-foot residential accessory-structure height standa...
See how Vancouver's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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