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.
San Jose, CA
San Jose addresses light trespass through its outdoor lighting standards and nuisance provisions in SJMC Title 20 (Zoning). Outdoor lighting on commercial an...
San Jose, CA
San Jose has been a pioneer in outdoor lighting regulation, adopting one of the nation's first outdoor lighting ordinances in coordination with Lick Observat...
See how San Jose'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.