New Castle County UDC Article 5 requires exterior lighting to be shielded and directed onto the property. Light trespass onto adjacent residential lots is prohibited, with 0.1 foot-candle maximum at residential property lines.
New Castle County UDC Section 40.04.130 regulates exterior lighting to minimize glare and light trespass. All outdoor fixtures must be full-cutoff or fully shielded so the light source is not directly visible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. Maximum illumination at residential property lines is 0.1 foot-candle; commercial-to-residential boundaries cap at 0.5 fc. Upward-directed lighting is restricted except for flag and landmark illumination. Security lights and motion-activated fixtures must be aimed onto the owner's lot. Holiday lighting is exempt between November 1 and January 15. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Land Use through complaint investigation.
First complaint: Notice of Violation with 30 days to shield or redirect fixtures. Non-compliance: civil penalties $100 to $500 per day under UDC enforcement provisions. Commercial violators face fines up to $1,000 per day. Repeat offenders may be cited into Justice of the Peace Court.
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