Site lighting requirements.
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 59-12350
in effect§ 59-12350. - Site lighting requirements.
A. Purpose and Intent.
(1) The purpose of these site lighting requirements is to provide for reasonable uses of outdoor lighting including night-time safety, security, utility, productivity, enjoyment, aesthetics, and commerce. The intent is to provide appropriate lighting levels that efficiently and effectively light areas used by the general public and are less distractive to the viewer.
(2) Light trespass, light pollution/sky glow, and glare associated with outdoor lighting should be reduced by the proper implementation and enforcement of these requirements.
B. Applicability.
(1) Site lighting in all zoning districts for all uses except Manufactured (Mobile) Home Residential, Single-Family Residential, and Two-Family Residential.
C. Exemptions.
(1) Lighting for public roadways.
(2) Lighting for emergency conditions.
(3) Airport lighting used for navigational purposes.
(4) Temporary lighting equipment and seasonal lighting equipment provided that individual lamps are smaller than 10 watts or 150 lumens, whichever is less.
(5) Temporary lighting equipment for theatrical, television, performance areas and construction sites.
(6) Architectural lighting.
(7) Landscape lighting.
(8) Lighting equipment in swimming pools, fountains, or other water features.
12350.1 Lighting Standards.
A. Outdoor lighting shall meet the following lighting levels for the specified locations on sites as follows:
TABLE 12350.1: LIGHTING STANDARDS
LIGHTING LOCATION | MAINTAINED AVERAGE FOOTCANDLES 1, 2 | MINIMUM FOOTCANDLES AT ANY LOCATION 1, 2
Parking areas | 1.5 | 0.5
Building entrances and exits | 3 | 1.5
Along pedestrian walkways and common areas | 3 | 1.5
FOOTNOTES: TABLE 12350.1
1. Accounts for lamp lumen depreciation.
2. Businesses that do not operate during evening hours (½ hour after sunset) are not required to maintain these minimum illuminance levels.
B. Spill light onto adjacent properties measured at-grade shall not exceed the following footcandles at any location on the adjacent property:
(1) 0.2 footcandles when adjacent to residential uses or districts; and 0.1 footcandles beginning at 11:00 pm or 30 minutes after closing, whichever is later, until dawn.
(2) 3 footcandles when adjacent to non-residential uses or districts.
C. All outdoor lighting shall be arranged and installed to minimize glare on adjacent properties and streets. Glare shall be minimized by any combination of techniques and technologies including:
(1) fully shielded fixtures,
(2) directional control,
(3) fixture location,
(4) fixture height, or
(5) fixture aim.
(Ord. No. 24174, § 4, 11-2-10)
Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH59ZOPLCO_ARTXIISIDEST_S59-12350SILIREFetched: 10/28/2026