Does a floodlighting installation need planning permission?
Floodlight masts are structures. Whether they need permission or are exempt is governed by the building code of each German state – often depending on mast height and location. New installations and taller or additional masts often need planning permission, with a structural stability certificate for mast and foundation.
If only the luminaires on existing masts are replaced, this is often possible without planning permission. But if the installation changes significantly – more light, different aiming, longer operating hours – the authority may require evidence. If in doubt, ask your municipality's building authority in advance.
Light immissions: the LAI guide values
Under Germany's Federal Immission Control Act, light counts as an immission. Sports facilities must be operated so as not to cause significant nuisance to neighbours. The benchmark is usually the LAI "Guidance on measuring, assessing and reducing light immissions". For room brightening it gives these guide values – measured as average illuminance at the window level of dwellings:
| Area under the Land Use Ordinance | 6 am to 10 pm | 10 pm to 6 am |
|---|---|---|
| Spa areas, hospitals, care homes | 1 lx | 1 lx |
| Purely and generally residential areas, small settlement and recreation areas | 3 lx | 1 lx |
| Village and mixed-use areas | 5 lx | 1 lx |
| Core, commercial and industrial areas | 15 lx | 5 lx |
The LAI guidance also assesses glare – whether the luminaires themselves shine disturbingly brightly into windows. The guidance is not law, but authorities and courts regularly use it as a benchmark.
Lighting impact study
For new installations near homes, authorities often require a lighting impact study. It shows what illuminance reaches the surrounding windows and whether glare is acceptable. It is based on a lighting calculation with the planned luminaires, mast heights and aiming.
We calculate your installation with DIALux – the pitch to DIN EN 12193 and the values at adjacent buildings. That way you see before applying whether the design works and can still adjust optics or aiming.
ConsultationLet's talk about your project.Lighting calculation and quotation from the manufacturer.Why an LED retrofit often helps
- Precise optics: LED floodlights focus the light more precisely on the pitch than old metal halide floodlights – less spill light into the surroundings.
- Flat aiming without upward light avoids sky glow.
- Dimming and switching: training with less light, switching off on time at the agreed hour.
- Warm white light attracts fewer insects, according to current knowledge.
What this looks like in practice is shown by our projects at the Sondershausen sports centre, at KTHC Rot-Weiss in Cologne in a landscape protection area and at CHTC in Krefeld, where the lighting was designed with neighbours and landscape protection in mind.
Don't forget funding
Converting to LED floodlighting is funded through the federal Kommunalrichtlinie and many state programmes. Important: as a rule, apply before placing any orders. Everything on this in our guide to Funding for LED in sport.
LED savings calculatorWhat can your lighting save?Energy costs, CO₂ and payback in just a few minutes.Frequently asked questions
Do floodlights need planning permission?
That is governed by the building code of each German state. New or taller masts often need planning permission with a structural stability certificate. If only the luminaires on existing masts are replaced, planning permission is often not needed – if in doubt, ask the building authority.
How much floodlight may reach the neighbours?
The benchmark is usually the LAI guidance on light immissions. In purely and generally residential areas, the guide value for room brightening is 3 lx from 6 am to 10 pm and 1 lx from 10 pm to 6 am, measured at window level.
What is a lighting impact study?
A calculation of the illuminance and glare a planned installation causes at surrounding buildings. Authorities often require it for new floodlighting near homes.
Does LED floodlighting reduce nuisance to neighbours?
Usually yes. LED floodlights with precise optics put the light more accurately on the pitch, emit no upward light and can be dimmed and switched off on time.
Until what time may floodlights be on?
There is no nationwide cut-off time. The LAI guide values are much stricter after 10 pm, and operating times may be set in the development plan or the permit.
