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Council adopts residential outdoor‑lighting ordinance after neighbors testify about alleged harassment
Summary
Following testimony from neighbors who said high‑intensity beams and cameras were aimed at their home, the council approved Ordinance 2026‑13 adding an enforceable light‑trespass definition and complaint‑driven enforcement with a 10‑day remedy period for violations.
Rosenberg City Council approved a new residential outdoor‑lighting ordinance (Ordinance No. 2026‑13) that adds objective enforcement language for light trespass after residents reported targeted, high‑intensity beams and surveillance lighting directed at their property.
At the dais staff advised that the ordinance packet distributed to council last week omitted an enforcement section; a corrected copy at the dais added section 14‑1‑96, which makes enforcement complaint‑based, allows investigation of observable conditions (including light direction and intensity), directs notice to property owners and provides a reasonable period to correct violations; repeat violations can result in citation. Council and staff agreed in the meeting to specify a 10‑day cure period for remedying violations.
Two nearby homeowners, Robert Palmer and Laurie Palmer, testified at length about persistent lighting and cameras they say are aimed into their backyard and bedroom windows, describing repeated nighttime illumination they called "harassment." Robert Palmer said he installed a 22‑foot screening panel to block the beams; Laurie Palmer said lights placed after their court action continue to shine into living areas. "It's intentional," Robert Palmer said. Laurie Palmer told the council the lighting increased after their court proceedings and described the impact on sleep and privacy.
Staff explained the ordinance uses a foot‑candle measurement to give officers an objective standard for enforcement, similar to how cities use decibel thresholds for noise. Staff also said the ordinance language was modeled on an ordinance from another Texas city and that enforcement can be carried out by code compliance or police officers; the recommended enforcement timeline is a 10‑day cure period before escalating to citations.
Council members expressed sympathy for the Palmers' situation and support for an objectively measurable enforcement mechanism to survive legal challenge. The council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance as amended to include a 10‑day remedy period and the revised enforcement section.
Councilors and staff noted that the ordinance is intended to be applied citywide and that officers will need a light meter or comparable instrument to measure foot‑candles when investigating complaints. Staff will return with implementation guidance and any required equipment or training plans.
