Clark County, WA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture shielding
- Required to minimize glare
- Sign nuisance radius
- 200 feet of dwellings
- Nuisance defined
- Flashing/intense interfering light
- Remedy
- Screen, shield, relocate, adjust
- Code sections
- CCC 40.210.020; 40.310.010
Summary
Clark County requires outdoor lights (except holiday lights) to be directed or shielded so glare is minimized as seen from streets and nearby dwellings. Illuminated signs must not be a nuisance to residents within 200 feet, defined as flashing lights or lights of an intensity that interferes with peaceful occupancy
Illuminated signs shall be placed so as not to be a nuisance to any residents or future residents of adjacent residentially zoned property within two hundred (200) feet of the sign. A nuisance shall be defined as flashing lights or lights of such intensity which may interfere with the residents' peaceful occupancy of their home.
Full Breakdown
Two provisions address light spilling onto neighbors. The district lighting standard (e.g., CCC 40.210.020(C)(5)) requires outdoor lights to be shielded to minimize glare visible from streets and nearby dwellings. For signs, CCC 40.310.010 requires illuminated signs be placed so as not to be a nuisance to residents within 200 feet, defining a nuisance as flashing lights or lights of such intensity that may interfere with residents' peaceful occupancy of their home; the planning manager may require screening, shielding, relocation, or lighting adjustment. Persistent light trespass from a neighbor may also be pursued as a private nuisance under Washington common law.
Violations & Fines
Sign or fixture lighting that creates a nuisance to nearby homes can be ordered screened, shielded, relocated, or adjusted by the planning manager, with continued code enforcement for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's floodlight shines into my bedroom. Is that regulated?
What counts as a sign lighting nuisance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington outdoor lighting overview
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