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East Palo Alto · Building on your lot

Outdoor lighting in East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto's own rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the East Palo Alto Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What East Palo Alto's code says

East Palo Alto code What East Palo Alto's code adds
Light at the property line
  • No more than 0.1 foot-candles.
    Applies: Light falling on any adjacent property.
    § 18.34.110 · code text
    It is unlawful to create illumination exceeding 0.1 foot-candles on any adjacent property.
  • No more than 0.1 foot-candles, as an average maintained level.
    Applies: At the property lines of multiple-family developments.
    § 18.22.050 · code text
    0.1 foot-candles at property line boundaries;
Shielding
  • Outdoor lighting must stay directed only on the property it serves.
    § 18.34.110 · code text
    All outdoor lighting shall be arranged so as to keep light directed only on the subject property.
  • Fixtures must be designed, shielded, aimed, placed and maintained to minimize impacts and glare.
    § 18.22.050 · code text
    All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, shielded, aimed, located and maintained to minimize adverse impacts on adjacent properties and to not produce glare onto adjacent properties or roadways.
  • Full cut-off fixtures.
    Applies: Parking area light fixtures and light fixtures on structures.
    § 18.22.050 · code text
    Parking area light fixtures and light fixtures on structures shall be full cut-off fixtures.
  • Full cut-off or directionally shielded fixtures, aimed so the light stays mostly on the object.
    Applies: Spotlights or floodlights lighting structures, statues, signs, objects or landscaping.
    § 18.22.050 · code text
    Spotlighting or floodlighting used to illuminate structures, statues, signs, or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal, or platform, or used to accentuate landscaping shall consist of full cut-off or directionally shielded lighting fixtures that are aimed and controlled so that the directed light shall be substantially confined to the object intended to be illuminated
  • Aimed downward.
    Applies: Light fixtures attached to a structure.
    § 18.22.050 · code text
    Light fixtures attached to a structure shall be directed downward.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in East Palo Alto?

East Palo Alto's code: Outdoor lighting must stay directed only on the property it serves. (§ 18.34.110); No more than 0.1 foot-candles. (Light falling on any adjacent property.) (§ 18.34.110).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how East Palo Alto's outdoor lighting rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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East Palo Alto Municipal Code — full text