Santa Clara County Title C outdoor-lighting standards require full-cutoff shielding on security and area lights to prevent glare and light trespass. The rules align with International Dark-Sky Association practice and limit upward and lateral light beyond property lines.
Title C zoning lighting standards in unincorporated Santa Clara County require that security floodlights, wall packs, and area lights use full-cutoff fixtures so light is directed downward and does not cross property lines or shine into the night sky. Motion-activated security lights are encouraged but must still meet the cutoff and timeout standards. Lighting in agricultural and rural-residential zones, including the foothills and hillside overlay areas, is subject to stricter dark-sky-style rules to protect rural night character and observatory operations at Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. Color temperature is generally capped at 3,000 kelvin warm-white for residential and small commercial fixtures.
Light trespass complaints can lead to a code-enforcement notice ordering re-aiming or shielding within 30 days. Continuing nuisance lighting can be abated as a public nuisance with daily civil penalties and recovery of inspection costs.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto regulates outdoor lighting under its zoning code to prevent light pollution and glare, with full cutoff fixtures required for new installations and...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto prohibits lighting that unreasonably intrudes on neighboring property, with code enforcement responding to complaints about glare, spillover, and e...
See how Palo Alto's security light shielding rules stack up against other locations.
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