Dallas Development Code Chapter 51A-4.6 requires outdoor security and area lighting to be fully shielded with cutoff fixtures, aimed downward, and limited so light does not trespass onto adjacent residential property in violation of light-trespass standards.
Section 51A-4.6 of the Dallas Development Code regulates outdoor lighting for parking lots, building exteriors, and security applications across non-residential and multi-family sites. Fixtures must be full-cutoff or fully shielded so the source is not visible from adjacent property or the public right-of-way. Pole-mounted lights are typically capped at 30 feet, lower near residential zones, and must be aimed straight down. Light-trespass onto an adjacent residential property may not exceed approximately 0.2 foot-candles measured at the property line. Wall packs, flood lights, and motion-activated security fixtures fall under the same standards. Single-family homeowners are not subject to the cutoff rule but remain bound by the city's general light-trespass nuisance provisions.
Unshielded fixtures or trespass exceeding 0.2 foot-candles are Class C misdemeanors under Chapter 51A-4.6 with fines up to $2,000 per day. Code Compliance may require retrofit to cutoff fixtures, repointing, or shielding before re-inspection.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. Property maintenance rules under Dal...
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to right-...
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday light displays. Amplified outdoor...
Dallas, TX
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Dallas require multiple permits through the Department of Sustainable Development and Construction: a building permit for the st...
Dallas, TX
Dallas has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Operation is governed by general nuisa...
Dallas, TX
Dallas adopts the 2021 International Fire Code under Dallas City Code Ch. 16 (Fire Prevention). IFC § 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas...
See how Dallas's security light shielding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.