Westerville treats excessive light spillover from one property onto another as a nuisance under Codified Ordinance 521.08. Complaints investigated by Code Enforcement. Standard threshold is 0.5 footcandles at a residential property line, measured at the receiving property.
Light trespass (unwanted light crossing property lines) is actionable under Westerville CO 521.08 general nuisance provisions and the zoning lighting standards in 1171.10. Code Enforcement responds to complaints, measures illuminance at the receiving property line, and issues corrective notices if readings exceed 0.5 footcandles at a residential boundary. Common solutions include redirecting floodlights, installing glare shields, switching to motion-activated lighting, or planting screening vegetation. Emergency and security lighting is allowed but must be aimed to minimize off-site impact.
Failure to cure after notice: 100 dollars per day civil penalty. Repeat nuisance: court-ordered abatement and 250 dollar fine per CO 521.99.
Westerville, OH
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