Title 22.140.385 of the LA County Code requires residential and commercial security lighting in unincorporated areas to use full cutoff shields aimed downward, capping property-line spill at 0.5 foot-candles and prohibiting glare onto neighboring dwellings or public ways.
Title 22.140.385 applies to all permanent outdoor lighting including motion-activated security floods, wall-pack fixtures, and pole lights. Fixtures must be full cutoff or fully shielded so that no light is emitted above the horizontal plane, with the bulb fully recessed within the housing. Maximum spill at any property line shared with a residential parcel is 0.5 foot-candles measured at five feet above grade. Motion-activated lights must shut off within ten minutes of last detected motion. The Hillside Management Area, Title 22.140.380, imposes a stricter 0.1 foot-candle cap. Building and Safety responds to written complaints. Contract cities and incorporated cities have parallel ordinances.
Unshielded security lights, glare onto neighboring homes, or motion lights staying on continuously trigger Code Enforcement citations under Title 22.140.385, with corrective orders within 30 days and fines up to 250 dollars per day.
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