Outdoor lighting in Williams: the local rules

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

What Williams's code says

Williams code What Williams's code adds
Light at the property line	three-tenths foot candle, measured vertically, and three-tenths foot candle, measured horizontally Applies: Overspill onto adjacent properties § 17.03.150.3 · code text Outdoor lighting shall be designed so that any overspill of lighting onto adjacent properties shall not exceed three-tenths foot candle, measured vertically, and three-tenths foot candle, measured horizontally, on adjacent properties.
Shielding	Lights must be deflected, shaded and aimed away from adjacent properties. § 17.03.150.3 · code text Outdoor lighting shall be deflected, shaded and focused away from adjacent properties and shall not be a nuisance to such adjacent properties. Cut-off fixtures are generally required. Applies: New pedestrian lights on poles or bollards. § 17.03.150.3 · code text Generally, cut-off luminaires are required. Cut-off fixtures only. Applies: New ground-mounted uplights, generally allowed only to light signs and flags. § 17.03.150.3 · code text Cut-off luminaires only Non-cut-off fixtures are allowed up to 15 feet above ground; above 15 feet, cut-off fixtures are required. Applies: Decorative sconces. § 17.03.150.3 · code text No-cut-off luminaires are allowed if installed not more than 15 feet above ground level. Fixtures that are installed more than 15 feet above ground level shall be cut-off luminaires Generally cut-off; non-cut-off allowed if at least 20 feet from lot lines and angled away from neighbors' windows. Applies: Security lighting on homes. § 17.03.150.3 · code text No-cut off luminaires (e.g., motion-sensor floodlights) are allowed on residential buildings, provided that they are set back at least 20 feet from lot lines and angled so that they do not shine into windows of buildings on abutting lots.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Williams?

Williams's code: Lights must be deflected, shaded and aimed away from adjacent properties. (§ 17.03.150.3); three-tenths foot candle, measured vertically, and three-tenths foot candle, measured horizontally (Overspill onto adjacent properties) (§ 17.03.150.3).

Outdoor lighting in Williams

What Williams's code says

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