Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-13.2
Exterior lighting
Operative Text
(a) Every garage or other accessory structure utilized by occupants after dark shall be equipped with artificial lighting which shall be maintained and operated so as to render all parts of the garage that are unlocked and accessible, visible to occupants and also to illuminate all areas commonly used by occupants sufficiently to enable persons of normal vision to traverse from such areas safely to the point of egress from the garage. (b) In garages or structures not kept locked, lighting as required herein shall be kept on continually from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise unless the lighting is connected to a dusk to dawn photoelectric control device. (c) In garages or structures which are locked at all entrances, lighting may be provided which is operated manually by individual occupants in lieu of continual night lighting, and in such case the lighting fixtures shall be operable from a switch located near the point of ingress into the interior of the space to be lighted. (d) Illumination of common areas shall be situated so as not to shine into adjacent dwelling units. (e) Exterior parking areas, pedestrian walkways or other portions of the premises subject to regular and recurrent use by occupants at night shall be illuminated continually from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise, unless the lighting is connected to a dusk to dawn photoelectric device to enable safe passage of persons of normal vision.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-13.2 establishes exterior and accessory-structure lighting standards for residential properties in New Jersey. Garages and similar structures used after dark must have artificial lighting that makes all accessible, unlocked areas visible and allows occupants to safely reach exits. Exterior parking areas and pedestrian walkways subject to regular nighttime use must be lit continuously from a half-hour before sunset to a half-hour after sunrise, with photoelectric dusk-to-dawn controls accepted as an alternative to fixed-schedule operation. Common-area lighting must be positioned so it does not spill into neighboring dwelling units.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-13.2, compliant property operators generally ensure that every garage or accessory structure used after dark is equipped with functioning artificial lighting covering all unlocked, accessible areas and illuminating paths to exits. For unlocked garages, lighting is kept on continuously during the required overnight window or connected to an approved dusk-to-dawn photoelectric device; for fully locked garages, manually operated switches placed near each entry point are an accepted alternative. Exterior parking areas and walkways with regular nighttime use receive the same continuous-lighting treatment, and all common-area fixtures are aimed to avoid shining directly into adjacent dwelling units.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-13.2 gives occupants the right to adequately lit garages, parking areas, and pedestrian walkways during nighttime hours, as well as protection from common-area lights shining into their homes. If lighting in these areas is absent, broken, or improperly aimed, tenants may document the conditions and report the issue to the local housing or code-enforcement office responsible for administering New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law. Tenant-rights organizations can also help explain available options, such as raising a code violation as part of a habitability concern or participating in an inspection process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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