Parking Lot Lighting Requirements: Light Level Codes & Standards

When designing or upgrading outdoor areas, understanding parking lot lighting requirements and standards is best for ensuring safety, security, and efficiency.

Proper lighting not only enhances visibility but also plays a significant role in minimizing accidents and deterring criminal activities. These guidelines help maintain adequate illumination levels, which are vital for both pedestrians and drivers. 

Parking lot lighting requirements

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) offers guidelines on recommended footcandle levels, which measure light intensity, across various parking lot zones to enhance pedestrian and vehicle safety. Additionally, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) advocates for reducing light trespass and pollution, promoting responsible outdoor lighting practices.

Nonetheless, local building codes and zoning ordinances remain the most necessary regulations to consider. These local regulations may specify requirements for footcandle levels, uniformity ratios, and limitations on light spilling beyond property lines, known as light trespass.

OSHA lighting standards 1910 establish guidelines for workplace illumination to ensure safety and productivity. OSHA parking lot lighting requirements focus on the safety and health of workers and the public in outdoor spaces. 

At FES Lighting, we specialize in creating lighting solutions that meet regulatory standards and enhance your outdoor spaces' overall environment. Our expert team designs, installs, and maintains lighting systems that ensure your parking lots are well lit, secure, and energy-efficient. 

This also applies to our car dealership lighting service which plays a large role in showcasing vehicles and creating an inviting atmosphere for customers, enhancing the appearance of cars and improving the overall shopping experience.

Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can illuminate your property with our advanced lighting solutions.

Ensure your parking lot meets lighting requirements and standards with the right light source and advanced lighting controls. Create a safe, well-lit environment that complies with codes and enhances visibility. Contact us today!

Parking lot lighting standards

In parking lots with smaller dimensions or residential settings, light poles should be 15-20 feet high with bulbs of 12,000-18,000 lumens, spaced 20-30 feet apart. In larger areas, poles should be 20-25 feet high with bulbs of 20,000-30,000 lumens, spaced 30-40 feet apart for optimal coverage.

When planning the lighting for parking areas, several critical factors, including IES parking lot lighting standards
, should be considered to ensure effectiveness and compliance. 

• Illuminance: The required brightness varies by the size and usage of the lot. Residential and small lots generally need 12,000 to 18,000 lumens, while medium-sized commercial areas may require between 20,000 and 30,000 lumens. For large industrial spaces, consider aiming for 30,000 to 70,000 lumens.
• Light Distribution: Achieving even light spread across the parking lot is essential to eliminate shadows, thus enhancing safety.
• Color Temperature: Opt for energy-efficient LED lighting with a color temperature of 4000K to 5000K to provide neutral white light that improves visibility during nighttime operations.
• Mounting Heights: Lights should be mounted at least 20 feet above ground to provide optimal coverage. This also ensures the IES parking lot light levels are followed. 
  
• Spacing of Fixtures: For light poles 15 to 20 feet tall, maintain a spacing of 20 to 30 feet. For those that are 20 to 25 feet tall, spacing should be 30 to 40 feet.
• Limiting Glare: Control brightness levels where the parking area borders streets or walkways to prevent distractions for drivers and pedestrians.
• Maintenance: Regularly check and replace any failed light bulbs and maintain fixtures to prevent graffiti and rust accumulation.
• Distribution Patterns: Implement Type III distribution for side lighting of parking spaces, Type IV for perimeter edges, and Type V for uniformly lighting wide-open spaces.
• Light Pollution and Regulations: Adhere to local regulations concerning light pollution to minimize environmental impact.
• Energy Optimization: It's important to harmonize lighting efficiency with adequate brightness to ensure sustainability and reduce operational costs.

Lighting retrofit companies specialize in upgrading existing lighting systems to more energy-efficient solutions. These companies can help businesses save on energy costs while improving the quality of light in their facilities.

Figuring out Minimum Parking Lot Lighting Levels for Your Business

Creating a comprehensive parking lot lighting plan is essential for ensuring safety, visibility, and a welcoming atmosphere in your business's outdoor spaces. Proper IES standards for parking lot lighting should be followed, which can in turn, enhance security and the overall customer experience. 

Here’s a detailed guide on how to determine the minimum lighting levels required for your parking lot.

1. Local Regulations

Locating the appropriate building codes and zoning ordinances can be a time-consuming task. Fortunately, many municipalities provide these regulations on their websites, making them accessible for online viewing. Alternatively, visiting your local building department can offer direct access to these important guidelines.

Adhering to local lighting codes is a non-negotiable step in creating your parking lot lighting plan. Regulations typically address brightness levels, fixture types, placement, and environmental impacts.

Brightness Requirements

Minimum brightness levels are often measured in foot-candles (fc) at ground level. These requirements vary depending on the type of area and traffic:

• Low-traffic areas: Minimum of 0.5–1.0 fc.
• High-traffic or pedestrian areas: Minimum of 2.0–3.0 fc.
• Entrances, exits, and intersections: Higher levels, ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 fc, to ensure maximum visibility and safety.

Fixture Placement and Height

Local regulations often dictate the placement and height of lighting fixtures to ensure uniformity and minimize hazards:

• Maximum pole height: Ranges from 20–30 feet in urban zones. In residential-adjacent areas, municipalities may cap pole heights at 25 feet to limit light spillover.
• Setback requirements: Poles must be placed at least 2 feet away from curbs to prevent vehicle damage or collisions.

Achieve the perfect balance with optimal average light levels for your parking area. Ensure a safe, well-lit space that meets all standards. Contact us today for professional lighting for a parking. 

2. Light Pollution and Trespass Limits

Regulations also aim to minimize light pollution and prevent light from spilling into neighboring properties:

• Full cutoff fixtures: Required to ensure light is directed downward.
• Uplight ratings: urban areas - no more than 5% uplight and suburban areas - 0% uplight is often mandated to comply with Dark Sky ordinances.

3. Energy Codes

Many cities enforce energy efficiency standards to reduce power consumption:

• ASHRAE 90.1 and California Title 24: These codes may limit the total wattage for parking lot lighting and require the use of high-efficiency LED fixtures.

4. Area Size and Layout

Properly planning the size and layout of your parking lot is important for designing an effective lighting system. Consider the following detailed factors to ensure your lighting plan meets safety, visibility, and efficiency standards:

Measure Total Area

• Calculate the square footage of the parking lot.
• Break the area into zones, including general parking, pedestrian pathways, high-traffic areas, entrances, and exits.
• Larger lots, such as those exceeding 50,000 square feet, often require higher poles (25–30 feet) and more powerful fixtures to ensure sufficient coverage.

Evaluate Current Lighting Infrastructure

• Assess the number and placement of existing poles and fixtures to determine if they provide adequate coverage.
• Verify proper pole spacing. For instance, 20-foot poles should typically be spaced 40–80 feet apart to maintain uniform illumination.
• Review the type of lighting fixtures in use, such as LED or metal halide, to ensure they meet current brightness, efficiency, and energy standards.

Account for Pedestrian Traffic Patterns

• Ensure entrances, exits, and crosswalks have a minimum illumination of 3.0 foot-candles for safety and visibility.
• Provide uniform lighting along walkways with a uniformity ratio of 3:1 or lower to minimize shadowing.
• Use bollard lights or low-mounted fixtures for direct lighting along pedestrian pathways.

Analyze Vehicle Traffic Flow

• Highlight high-traffic areas, including drop-off zones and driveways, with illumination levels between 3.0–5.0 foot-candles.
• Ensure accessible parking spaces meet ADA compliance, with consistent lighting levels of at least 2.0 foot-candles.

Identify Obstructions

• Inspect the area for trees, signs, or structures that could block light and create shadows.
• Plan the placement of fixtures to avoid dark spots caused by obstructions, ensuring even light distribution.

Perform a Lighting Survey

• Use photometric tools, such as DIALux, to simulate light distribution across the parking lot.
• Identify problem areas, such as dark spots, over-lit zones, or uneven coverage.
• Adjust the placement and specifications of fixtures and poles based on survey findings to achieve optimal lighting.

5. Lighting Requirements

These standards ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance for parking lot and garage lighting. Below are the parking lot foot candle requirements: 

• Footcandle levels for low-traffic areas in open parking lots must be 0.5–1.0 footcandles.
• Footcandle levels for high-traffic areas, such as entrances and exits, must be 3.0–5.0 footcandles.
• Footcandle levels for pedestrian walkways must be 2.0–3.0 footcandles.
• Footcandle levels for general areas in parking garages must be at least 5.0 footcandles.
• Stairwells and elevator lobbies in parking garages require at least 10.0 footcandles.
• Entry and exit points in parking garages need up to 50.0 footcandles during daytime to ensure smooth light transitions.
• Uniformity ratios for open parking lots should be 4:1 between the brightest and dimmest areas.
• Uniformity ratios for parking garages should be 3:1 to enhance pedestrian safety.
• Light trespass must be controlled using full-cutoff fixtures to direct light downward.
• Light trespass at residential property boundaries must not exceed 0.1 footcandle.
• LED fixtures must provide a minimum of 100 lumens per watt for energy efficiency.
• LED fixtures should have a color temperature between 4000K and 5000K for neutral white light.
• Fixtures must have an IP65 rating to ensure durability against water and dust.
• Transition zones in parking garages must have 50.0 footcandles during daytime at entry and exit points.
• Nighttime lighting in parking garage transition zones must align with ambient outdoor light, typically 5.0–10.0 footcandles.
• Emergency lighting systems must maintain at least 1.0 footcandle during power outages.
• Emergency lighting systems must operate for at least 90 minutes and comply with NFPA 101.
• Lighting systems should comply with Dark Sky guidelines to minimize light pollution.
• Fixtures should have a BUG rating of B1-U0-G1 or lower to reduce glare and light trespass.

6. Selecting Appropriate Lighting Fixtures

Opting for the right parking garage lighting layout and lighting fixtures is essential for several reasons: LED technology stands out due to its high efficiency, longevity, and environmental benefits. When fixtures are necessary, consider strategic spacing to ensure adequate light distribution, with directional patterns for walkways and broader coverage for open areas. 

Complying with local regulations related to light trespass and upward lighting is required, especially with the advancements in LED technologies. Implementing dimming and scheduling controls, along with motion sensors and dusk-to-dawn sensors, further optimizes energy usage.

7. Installation and Maintenance

The proper installation of lighting fixtures with secure electrical connections by professionals is advisable to maximize efficiency and safety. Routine maintenance is helpful for maintaining peak performance; this includes regularly replacing bulbs, inspecting fixtures for damage or corrosion, and cleaning them thoroughly to sustain high light output. 

Proactive maintenance programs offered by lighting experts can aid in the early detection and resolution of potential issues, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your lighting system.

Key Takeaways on Parking Lot Lighting Code Requirements

• Safety and Efficiency: Properly designed parking lot lighting enhances safety and efficiency by considering elements such as appropriate illuminance levels, even light distribution, and energy-efficient lighting solutions like LEDs.
• Tailored Lighting Plans: Creating a tailored lighting plan involves assessing factors like garage or lot size, intended use, foot traffic, and vehicle movement, ensuring both functional and aesthetic needs are met.
• Adhering to Lighting Codes: Meeting local lighting code requirements is vital. This includes maintaining permissible footcandle levels, adhering to uniformity ratios, and complying with light trespass restrictions.
• Fixture Selection and Regulation Compliance: Selecting the right lighting fixtures, such as LEDs, is key for efficiency and environmental benefits. Ensure fixtures adhere to regulations concerning light trespass and upward lighting.
• Advanced Controls and Sensors: Implementing controls like dimming, scheduling, and motion sensors optimize energy usage and contribute to sustainability.
• Routine Maintenance: Regular inspection and maintenance are essential for sustaining lighting efficiency, preventing issues, and prolonging the life of the system. Proactive maintenance programs can aid significantly in achieving these goals.

To get started on transforming your parking lot lighting, explore our business lighting solutions and discover how our parking lot lighting design calculator can assist you in creating a tailored plan.

Additionally, consider our parking lot lighting upgrades to optimize your current systems for better performance and efficiency. Contact us today to ensure your parking areas are safely and effectively illuminated with FES Lighting's expert services.

Upgrade to LED parking lot lights for energy efficiency and a safe, well-lit parking environment. Ensure your lighting meets all codes and standards. Contact us today for expert solutions!