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Amendments to the nuisance chapter in the city’s Municipal Code (chapter 8.10) went into effect on Thursday, March 20, aligning the city more closely with the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). One added provision addresses exterior lighting on residences, or nuisance lighting. According to the code, light that shines onto neighboring properties, also known as light trespass, or light sources that are unshielded may be subject to enforcement. Lighting on streets, walkways, trails, paths, outdoor recreational facilities, and school district facilities are not included in this amendment.
“With these amendments to the city’s Municipal Code, we were able to evaluate and address the current needs of our community, clarify some sections that were vague, and introduce more in-depth definitions to some of the wording in key areas,” stated City of Newport Community Development Director Derrick Tokos. “A lot of our community members have voiced their concerns about modern exterior lighting and how it may impact their livability, and our City Council took the initiative to address this issue in the amended code.”
“These amendments assist the Newport Police Department in working with community members to reduce negative impacts on neighborhoods, while also continuing to strengthen our focus on the health and safety of those who live, work, and visit Newport,” added Police Chief Jason Malloy.
The IPMC was utilized to expand and specifically define a number of nuisances in the code, including the Building and Structures section (8.10.120). These revisions provide clarity to previous definitions, allowing officers the ability to provide more precise evaluations for those lacking compliance, including required emergency repairs to buildings or structures. The revision to this section also defines code violations for a number of community safety hazards, including roofs, exterior walls and doors, windows, decks and porches, and paint among others.
Other areas of the Municipal Code that were amended to reflect the IPMC more closely included Definitions (8.10.010), Nuisances Affecting Public Health and Safety (8.10.040), including specifications to debris and motor vehicles, and Graffiti (8.10.100). To view all adopted amendments to the nuisance chapter in the city’s Municipal Code, and ordinance 2232, visit newportoregon.gov/dept/adm/ordinances/2232/ord_2232.pdf.
With existing code and the amended code, police officers and community service officers will continue to work with community members on voluntary compliance, acknowledging the time necessary to evaluate their needs and options to comply with the code. A 30-day compliance grace period will go into effect on March 20, and Newport residents may contact the city’s police department to request an evaluation of their exterior lighting.
Many cities nationally consider light pollution a nuisance that is in violation of code. When proposed amendments to the city’s Municipal Code were presented on Jan. 21, 2025, City Council requested added provisions to address nuisance lighting. All code amendments were approved by City Council on Feb. 18.
For more information on Newport’s Municipal Code, contact the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348 or online at NewportOregon.gov.
Chapter 8.10.040(N) – Exterior Lighting
No person shall knowingly allow an exterior lighting fixture to shine light that unreasonably interferes with another person’s use or enjoyment of a dwelling unit. The light from an exterior lighting fixture is presumed reasonable if the light does not exceed one foot-candle at the person’s property line. This section does not apply to the following:
1. Outdoor recreational facilities;
2. Street lighting or lighting on paths, trails, and walkways; or
3. Facilities owned, operated, or maintained by school districts.
Note: A foot-candle is defined as a measurement of light intensity, and are the most common unit of measure used by lighting professionals to calculate light levels in businesses and outdoor spaces. A foot-candle is defined as enough light to saturate on a one square foot surface from a uniform source of light.
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