Parking Lot Lighting Layout & Design
Get Your Custom Lighting Plan With Product Recommendations
Includes up to 8% off the price of our recommended lighting products 
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Every lighting plan comes with a dedicated product specialist, providing personalized service and expert advice for your project needs.
How long does it take to get a plan?
1-2 for indoor and 2-3 days for outdoor projects
Our Customers
4
5
CBRE needed high quality lighting for their customer, with stock available for ongoing projects.
Customer had an urgent need for high temperature lights. We had them in stock & shipped out next day.
Poor lighting caused parking lot safety issues for spectators. Our lighting plan & new lights resulted in an improved experience.
Customer needed to source large quantities of specialty fixtures for use in their manufactured products.
Tracy Electric was seeking a reliable source for ongoing lighting projects.
Distributors partner with us to provide customers a high quality product at a reasonable price.
Repeat lighting supplier for an electrical contractor working in manufacturing facilities.
Permanent tent lighting for large acrobatics facility. Our lighting plan & recommendations resulted in ideal performer & spectator safety.
A well-designed parking lot lighting layout is essential for maintaining safety, visibility, and code compliance across commercial properties. Proper fixture selection, pole placement, mounting height, and light distribution all work together to eliminate dark areas, reduce glare, and support clear visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. A professional lighting plan uses photometric analysis to determine exact foot-candle levels and uniformity before installation, helping ensure your parking lot is properly illuminated, energy efficient, and compliant with IES recommendations and local regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Parking Lot Lighting Design?
A parking lot lighting design provides a detailed visual plan for your parking area using CAD drawings or satellite imagery. The design process imports your site into professional lighting software, then places LED lighting fixtures at optimal pole locations and mounting heights. The software calculates light levels, uniformity, and distribution using LED Parking Lot Fixtures, resulting in a comprehensive report that guides your lighting installation and ensures effective coverage.
What Is a Parking Lot Lighting Design Calculator?
A parking lot lighting calculator offers basic estimates for fixture placement and quantity. In contrast, a professional lighting design provides precise light level calculations, uniformity analysis, and optimized fixture locations. This approach helps ensure code compliance, energy efficiency, and effective illumination for your specific site.
Will Parking Lot Lighting Levels and Car Park Lighting Levels Be the Same?
No, lighting requirements vary by application. Car park garages generally require higher light levels than open-air parking lots due to enclosed conditions and safety needs. Each lighting plan is tailored to meet the recommended IES standards for your specific environment.
What Are the Recommended Parking Lot Lighting Standards for Commercial Property Owners?
Typical parking lot lighting levels range from 1 to 10 foot-candles, depending on site requirements and local codes. For areas with video surveillance, higher levels of 5-10 foot-candles are often recommended. Lighting designs are developed to meet IES guidelines and local zoning requirements for safety and visibility.
What Is the Ideal Parking Lot Light Spacing Using LED Parking Lot Lights?
Optimal fixture spacing depends on required light levels, coverage area, mounting height, and any existing building-mounted lights. Each parking lot requires a custom layout to achieve uniform coverage and meet code requirements. A professional lighting plan determines the best spacing for your specific site.
How Can a Parking Lot Lighting Plan Help Choose Between Type 3 and Type 5 Parking Lot Fixture Optics?
Lighting design software visually demonstrates how different optics perform in your parking lot before purchase. Type 5 optics are typically used in lot centers for circular distribution, while Type 3 optics are placed along perimeters for forward-throw coverage. The software allows testing of multiple configurations to achieve the most effective light distribution for your layout.
How Much Money Can a Professional Lighting Plan Save on My Parking Lot Project?
A professional lighting plan can reduce total project costs by 15-30% by optimizing fixture placement and minimizing unnecessary equipment. This helps avoid over-lighting, excess poles, or incorrect fixture selection. Proper planning also maximizes energy savings compared to traditional lighting systems.
What Information Is Needed to Create My Parking Lot Lighting Design?
To create an accurate lighting design, provide site dimensions, desired light levels, mounting height preferences, and any existing fixture locations. A CAD drawing or site address for mapping is ideal. Most lighting designs are completed within 2-3 business days after receiving this information.
Will a Lighting Plan Help with Permits and Code Compliance?
Yes, a professional lighting plan includes IES-compliant calculations and detailed documentation to support most permit applications. The plan demonstrates light level compliance, fixture specifications, and proper spacing to meet local codes, often resulting in faster permit approval.
How Many Parking Lot Lights Do I Need?
The number of LED parking lot lights required depends on your lot size, desired foot-candle levels, and fixture mounting height. A lighting plan calculates the exact quantity and placement needed for uniform coverage and code compliance.
What Foot-Candle Levels Are Recommended for Parking Lots?
Recommended foot-candle levels for parking lots typically range from 1 to 5 for general use, and up to 10 for areas requiring higher visibility or security. The ideal level depends on your property’s needs and local regulations.
What Mounting Height Should I Use for Parking Lot Lights?
Common mounting heights for parking lot lights range from 15 to 30 feet. The appropriate height depends on lot size, fixture wattage, and desired light distribution. Higher poles cover larger areas but may require higher wattage fixtures.
How Far Apart Should Parking Lot Fixtures Be Spaced?
Spacing depends on mounting height, fixture output, and required light levels. As a general guideline, spacing is often 2 to 2.5 times the mounting height, but a lighting plan provides precise spacing for your site.
How Do I Reduce Shadows or Dark Spots in My Parking Lot?
To minimize shadows and dark spots, use a lighting plan to ensure uniform fixture placement, select appropriate optics, and avoid excessive spacing between lights. Overlapping light patterns and proper pole locations are key to consistent coverage.
Do I Need a Custom Parking Lot Lighting Plan?
A custom lighting plan is recommended for most parking lots to ensure code compliance, safety, and optimal energy efficiency. Custom plans address unique site conditions, local regulations, and specific lighting goals.
Sample Parking Lot Lighting Plan and Heat Map
