You might be interested in the law on garden lighting for several reasons. Perhaps you're planning on installing outdoor lights and want to make sure you're complying with all the restrictions before you go ahead.
Second, you may be in a situation where your neighbours' lights are causing a nuisance at night and want to know how best to deal with it and what your rights are. Finally, you may have received a complaint and would like to know if you are in fact in breach of anything.
This expert guide outlines all the laws that are in place around garden lighting, as well as the penalties that can be incurred. The way that you can avoid penalties and learn the best way to approach neighbours about their nuisance lighting in an amicable way to ensure the problem can be rectified.
Get the lowdown on the law on garden lighting
“The laws and regulations regarding the installation (safety) and running of exterior and driveway lighting for private residences can be quite complex, factoring a multitude of scenarios, be that the front of the property (road facing), or the rear such as garden and patio areas," says Tom Ralston, Managing Director at Ultra LEDs.
"This will include aspects such as light spill beyond property boundaries or glare that may have a negative impact on others. Nocturnal wildlife can also be adversely affected in cases where cooler colour temperature lighting (above 3000k) is in use after dark, and there may even be local by-laws in place to limit such impacts where protected species such as bats may be present.
"Ultimately, consultation with a qualified exterior lighting designer is usually the best course of action as they will know all the regulations and will help with an exterior lighting plan, along with the use of a qualified electrician to ensure safe and weatherproof installation for long term reliability," adds Tom.
Tom has been Managing Director at Ultra LEDs since 2016. The company specialises in innovative LED lighting solutions.
Outdoor lighting law
In the UK, artificial light can be treated as a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 when it unreasonably interferes with a neighbour’s enjoyment of their property or is prejudicial to health.
Local authorities have a duty to investigate complaints about nuisance lighting and, if they agree one exists or is likely to recur, must serve an abatement notice requiring the nuisance to be stopped or limited.
Section 79 of the Act specifically lists matters that can be statutory nuisances, including "artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance". Local councils can then use powers under Section 80 to require action to abate the nuisance.
When assessing a complaint, environmental health officers will consider factors such as whether the light materially interferes with the use and enjoyment of a property, how frequently the issue occurs, and how long it lasts. Officers make these judgments from the perspective of a reasonable person in typical domestic settings.
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Planning permission and restrictions
"Outdoor and patio lighting is regulated by many local authorities, particularly in urban and suburban neighbourhoods. Bylaws might restrict the timing, intensity, and direction of outdoor lighting to reduce the impact on residents," says Jane Dobbs, a garden maintenance expert at Allan's Gardeners.
In most cases in the UK you don't need to apply for planning permission for outdoor lights. however, there are certain situations where it may be required.
"Listed buildings may need planning permission to install outdoor lights. Any changes to the property, including lighting, should preserve its heritage. A conservation area also has stricter rules. It might be necessary to get planning permission for outdoor lights that affect the look or environment," advises Jane.
"If you're installing large lighting fixtures, like floodlights, especially if they're commercial or very bright, you need planning permission," says Jane.
Responsible for leading the gardening team at Allan's Gardeners, a landscaping and garden maintenance business who provide lawn care and installation. She has 10 years' experience as a gardener.
Penalties and fines
"Penalties for breaches of outdoor lighting laws can vary, depending on the severity of the offence and local regulations. In cases where lighting is deemed a statutory nuisance, homeowners may face fines or be required to modify their lighting setup. It’s crucial to ensure your outdoor lighting complies with all relevant laws to avoid such penalties," says Tom Ralston.
"If individuals fail to reduce light pollution and it is still a nuisance to others then they may receive a fine of up to £5,000 from the court," continues Sam Garbutt, a lighting expert at LED & Power.
Receiving the fine will still mean that you have to fix the problem, so it's best to act quickly to rectify the situation.
LED & Power specialise in providing commercial and residential LED lighting products to the trade and wholesale market. They work with leading brands and manufacturers across the UK and Europe.
Making a complaint about nuisance lighting
If the lights in a neighbour’s garden design are interfering with your enjoyment and use of your home or are prejudicial to your health, for example by causing disturbed sleep, then it is within your rights to ask them to alter or restrict them.
If they don't take note then he recommends that you mention that the local authority treats light pollution as a statutory nuisance and has the power to issue an abatement notice.
Protecting wildlife from outdoor lighting
In addition to being a nuisance to humans, the law on garden lighting is also there to help protect wildlife, particularly in conservation areas so consider this when you're looking at where to buy patio lighting.
Research and conservation groups note that artificial light at night (ALAN) can interfere with feeding, navigation, reproduction, and habitat use for a range of species.
For example, nocturnal insects such as moths often become disoriented by artificial light because they navigate by natural night‑time cues like the moon, which can waste energy and reduce their effectiveness as pollinators. Lower‑intensity, warmer‑colour lighting and careful placement can help reduce these impacts.
Light pollution also affects bats - many bat species avoid illuminated areas altogether because they rely on darkness for foraging and safe movement. Bright lights near roost exits or along flight paths can delay emergence and reduce feeding time, and some species have been shown to shift their routes to avoid lit areas.
Birds, too, can be affected by night‑time lighting, with evidence showing that artificial light can extend activity periods and disrupt natural rhythms, potentially influencing feeding and breeding behaviours.
By positioning lights thoughtfully, using warmer colour temperatures (typically below 3000 K), and directing light only where it’s truly needed, homeowners can help minimise disruption to local wildlife while still enjoying their outdoor spaces.
FAQs
Can neighbours complain about garden lights?
"If your neighbours' lighting is a nuisance and negatively affecting your life then you are fully within your rights to complain about it. For example, if a neighbour's outdoor lighting is shining directly in your window and affecting your sleep, this is classed as obtrusive light," says Sam Garbutt.
"However, there has to be proof that the lighting is a nuisance for any action to be taken. There are regulations around obtrusive light levels on residential property, but these differ depending on the environmental zone that the property falls into," Sam adds.
Do you need planning permission for garden lighting?
"Regular outdoor light fittings don't require planning permission, but you must consider the placement and direction of the light to ensure that it is not disruptive to surrounding properties."
"However, if you live in a listed building then you may require consent when fitting outdoor lights to ensure that they fit with the character of the property. I always advise that you check with your local authority first to ensure the correct steps are taken before installing outdoor lights," says Sam Garbutt.
What can I do if my neighbour's light is too bright?
"If your neighbours' light is too bright I first recommend speaking directly to them about the matter. Often you may find that you can come to some common ground and find an easy solution without having to take the problem further. I also suggest recording the lighting issue by making a log of the times that the light is an issue and taking some photos to highlight the extent of the problem," says Sam Garbutt.
"If speaking to your neighbour doesn't work you may need to contact your local authority to take the issue further. First, it's best to ensure that the lighting issue is covered under the Act, otherwise the court can't do anything. Your local authority will assess the complaint and speak to the neighbour if necessary, if your neighbour still refuses to fix the issue then your local authority will take it to the court," says Sam.
If you're looking for subtle ways to illuminate your garden, there are plenty of fence lighting ideas and decking lighting solutions you can try that will create a gentle glow without causing an issue with any neighbouring properties.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.
