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<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 15-505 Exterior lighting.">
  <section prefix="§" num="15-505" heading="Exterior lighting.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">The following exterior lighting requirements apply to lighting on private property.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Glare and light trespass prohibited.">
      <para num="(1)">No exterior lighting may glare into, or upon, the surrounding area or any residential premises.  In addition, no exterior lighting may be used in any manner that could interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles on public streets.  The light level may not be greater than one-half footcandle at a residential property line and 1 footcandle at any non-residential property line or public right-of-way line.</para>
      <para num="(2)">Specifically, the following types of light trespass are prohibited:<para num="(i)">any light not designed for roadway illumination that produces direct or reflected glare that could disturb the operator of a motor vehicle;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">any light that may be confused with, or construed as, a traffic control device, except as authorized by federal, state, or local government.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">Exterior lighting must be designed as down-lighting.  Shielded lighting, unless specifically permitted by subsection (c) of this section, is required.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Unshielded lighting prohibited; Exceptions.">The use of unshielded lighting, including incandescent light bulbs hung or strung on poles, wires, or any other type of support, are prohibited, except on a temporary basis in areas where approved carnivals, fairs, or other similar activities are held and only while those activities are taking place.</para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Height limits.">
      <para num="(1)">The maximum height of light poles on private property, as measured from grade at the base to the bottom of the luminaire, is as specified below.  These standards do not apply to public right-of-way lighting.  Permitted light pole heights are as follows.</para>
      <para num="(2)">For non-residential uses:<para num="(i)">Lights poles and building-mounted fixtures must be designed with fully shielded luminaires.  These poles or mounts may not exceed 25 feet in height.</para>
        <para num="(ii)">Light poles for outdoor recreational facilities may not exceed 35 feet in height.  Exterior lighting for outdoor recreation areas is subject to design review.  Light poles for outdoor recreational facilities that exceed 35 feet in height are conditional uses.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">For residential uses:<para num="(i)">Light poles for single-family detached and semi-detached dwellings and rowhouse dwellings may not exceed 6 feet in height.</para>
        <para num="(ii)">Light poles for multi-family uses may not exceed 12 feet in height.</para>
        <para num="(iii)">Under-soffit lighting mounted on a residential dwelling may not be mounted higher than 15 feet above the finished floor height of the ground floor.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
