Commercial site lighting system showing LED area lights, canopy lights, wall packs, and flood lights with controlled optics, glare reduction, and dark-sky compliant distribution across a commercial property.

Commercial Site Lighting Buying Guide (LED Area, Canopy, Flood & Wall Packs)

Commercial site lighting is specified by optic distribution, mounting height, target illuminance, and control of glare and light trespass. The goal is consistent visibility for drivers and pedestrians without spill at property lines or noncompliant uplight. This guide covers LED area lights, canopy lights, flood lights, and wall packs with a focus on layout behavior, shielding strategy, controls intent, and driver survivability.

Use this page for permanent exterior systems that light parking lots, drives, loading zones, walkways, building perimeters, and canopies. For interior ambient and task lighting, use the commercial ceiling lighting buying guide. For high-mount interior environments (typically 20 feet and above), use the high bay lighting buying guide. For selection methodology, documentation workflow, and performance standards, start with the commercial lighting specification guides hub.

Last reviewed: February 2026 · Aligned with current site-lighting layout practices and common dark-sky and light-trespass review workflows

Cutaway infographic showing a commercial site lighting system with LED area lights, wall packs, flood lights, and canopy lights illustrating optics, cutoff, shielding, and mounting strategies. — Site performance depends on distribution type, shielding, mounting method, and optical control. Area lights, canopy fixtures, floods, and wall packs work together across a property.

Site Lighting Specification Reality Check

Distribution controls the footprint. If the optic does not match pole placement and zone geometry, the result is bright pools and dark gaps.
Uniformity is the safety input. Driver comfort and pedestrian visibility track with consistency across pavement and walkways, not peak brightness.
Compliance changes fixture choice. Property-line spill limits and uplight restrictions often require shielding, cutoff optics, and revised mounting locations.

Start With the Core Layout Inputs

Most redesigns happen when the layout begins with a lumen package instead of geometry. Start with the site plan, then choose distribution and mounting intent to match the space. Output is finalized after the footprint is correct.

Zone geometry: open lot, drive aisle, loading zone, walkway, perimeter, or canopy.
Mounting height: pole height or wall height and setbacks from edges.
Spacing: pole-to-pole distances and the number of rows required.
Distribution and shielding: forward throw vs symmetric coverage, plus house-side shielding when needed.
Controls intent: dusk-to-dawn, schedule, or motion strategy with defined minimum levels.

Zone-to-Fixture Selection Map

This table is a first-pass selection map for common exterior zones. Final selection should be validated with the site plan so distribution and shielding match the perimeter conditions.

Commercial Site Zone-to-Fixture Selection Map
Site Zone	Typical Fixture Type	Optic / Shielding Priority	What to Verify on the Plan
Parking lots and open areas	LED area lights	Type III or Type V distribution; house-side shielding at edges	Perimeter vs center poles, setbacks, and spill risk near property lines
Drive aisles and site circulation	LED area lights or LED flood lights (task zones)	Forward throw control; glare control for approach angles	Sight lines for drivers, intersection hot spots, and dark gaps between poles
Building perimeters and walkways	LED wall packs	Cutoff optics; controlled forward throw; backlight limits	Mounting height, spacing along the façade, and spill beyond the building line
Loading areas and targeted task zones	LED flood lights	Beam angle selection; aiming geometry; spill control	Aiming constraints, glare in line-of-sight, and overreach into adjacent properties
Covered canopies	LED canopy lights	Uniform downlight; glare control at approach angles	Mounting height, fixture spacing, and brightness at entry/exit lanes

Pole Height, Spacing, and Distribution

Outdoor performance problems are typically caused by a mismatch between mounting height, pole spacing, and optic distribution. A high-lumen fixture does not correct poor geometry.

Type III distribution: perimeter rows and drives where forward throw is needed while limiting backlight behind the pole.
Type V distribution: central poles in open areas where symmetric 360° coverage is required.
Spacing discipline: as spacing increases, uniformity becomes increasingly dependent on distribution and mounting height rather than output.

Infographic comparing outdoor site-lighting optics: Type III forward throw, Type V symmetrical distribution, full cutoff shielding, and controlled beam focus to reduce glare and light trespass. — Optic selection controls where light lands. Type III pushes coverage forward, Type V distributes 360°, cutoff optics limit uplight, and shielding reduces spill near property lines.

Light Trespass, Uplight, and Review Constraints

Exterior projects are frequently evaluated for spill at property lines and uplight control. Color temperature does not control glare or property-line spill. Distribution, shielding, and mounting location do.

Backlight control: limits spill behind poles and reduces nuisance light into adjacent parcels.
Uplight control: cutoff optics and shielding reduce sky glow and improve ordinance alignment where required.
Glare control: limiting high-angle brightness improves driver visibility and reduces discomfort.

Near property lines, establish shielding and distribution first, then finalize output. This reduces redesign risk during review and helps prevent over-lighting used to compensate for poor footprints.

Glare Control for Drivers and Pedestrians

Glare reduces usable visibility by creating veiling brightness and reducing contrast. It can make a site feel unsafe even when measured light levels are high.

Use cutoff optics where fixtures are in direct view on approach paths and at driveway entrances.
Prioritize uniformity over peak brightness under a pole, especially in pedestrian routes.
Balance horizontal and vertical visibility at entrances and loading areas without placing peak intensity into common sight lines.

Electrical Inputs: Surge, Voltage, and Driver Survival

Outdoor failures are commonly driven by the electrical environment and moisture/heat stress on drivers. Long conductor runs and pole-top exposure increase transient risk.

Surge protection: specify appropriate protection for outdoor exposure; consider coordinated suppression where required by the project.
Voltage confirmation: verify site power before standardizing fixture families across zones.
Service access: where downtime matters, prioritize fixtures with practical driver access and predictable replacement paths.

Environmental Durability: Water, Dust, Impact, Corrosion, Heat

Outdoor labeling alone is not a durability plan. Match construction to the conditions that actually exist at the site.

Water and dust exposure: specify sealing appropriate for wind-driven rain, dusty lots, and exposed mounting locations.
Impact risk: public-facing sites and loading zones often require increased impact resistance.
Corrosive exposure: coastal environments require appropriate housing material, finish system, and fastener selection.
Thermal stress: high ambient temperatures and enclosed optics increase driver stress; select fixtures with proven thermal management.

Controls: Photocells, Scheduling, and Motion Strategy

Controls should be specified with the fixture family so the site behaves consistently after commissioning. Define zone behavior and minimum levels before selecting equipment.

Photocells: standard for dusk-to-dawn operation on most sites.
Scheduling: supports late-night dimming where policy or ordinance allows reduced levels.
Motion control: appropriate for low-traffic zones when minimum levels are defined and consistent.
Consistency: mixed dimming behavior across zones creates uneven appearance and increases troubleshooting.

Commercial Site Lighting Specification Checklist

Use this checklist when standardizing fixtures across a property or correcting a spec that has drifted into inconsistent substitutions.

Commercial Site Lighting Specification Checklist
Spec Item	What to Document	Why It Matters
Zone definition	Lot, drive, perimeter, loading, walkway, canopy with intended outcomes	Prevents one-fixture-fits-all substitutions that break uniformity and spill control.
Mounting height and spacing	Heights, pole spacing, setbacks, and constraints	Controls footprint and reduces hot spots and dark gaps.
Distribution and shielding	Type III vs Type V intent; house-side shielding where required	Controls spill at property lines and supports predictable coverage.
Glare control strategy	Cutoff optics and mounting positions aligned to approach angles	Improves driver visibility and reduces discomfort.
Electrical environment	Voltage confirmation and surge protection approach	Reduces premature driver failures and nuisance maintenance calls.
Environmental durability	Sealing level, impact risk, corrosion exposure, thermal conditions	Reduces water intrusion, corrosion, and long-term degradation.
Controls behavior by zone	Photocell/schedule/motion intent with defined minimum levels	Prevents uneven operation and reduces commissioning friction.

Shop Commercial Site Lighting by Category

Well-specified site lighting produces consistent coverage, reduces glare complaints, and limits redesign during review. Match zones to fixture families, then validate distribution, mounting geometry, shielding, and controls behavior before standardizing a site-wide configuration.

Commercial Site Lighting — Technical FAQs

What is the primary decision in a site lighting layout?

Distribution matched to mounting height and spacing. If the optic footprint does not align with pole placement and zone geometry, the layout produces bright pools and dark gaps regardless of lumen output.

When should Type III optics be used instead of Type V?

Type III is commonly used on perimeter rows and drives where forward throw is needed while limiting backlight behind the pole. Type V is typically used for central poles in open areas where symmetric 360° coverage is required.

What causes light trespass even when on-site light levels look acceptable?

Spill beyond the intended footprint caused by distribution choice, mounting position, aiming, and the absence of shielding near edges. A site can meet horizontal targets while still exceeding property-line expectations.

How should glare be evaluated for drivers and pedestrians?

Glare is driven by high-angle brightness in common approach and sight lines, not just measured values on pavement. Cutoff optics, shielding, mounting position, and aiming should be selected so peak intensity is not in direct view.

What are common drivers of early outdoor LED failures?

Electrical transients combined with heat and moisture stress. Long conductor runs and storm exposure increase surge risk, while water intrusion and elevated temperatures accelerate driver degradation.

How should controls be integrated without creating uneven site appearance?

Plan controls by zone with defined minimum levels. Photocells typically provide dusk-to-dawn operation, while schedules or motion control are applied where reduced late-night levels are acceptable. Commissioning should confirm consistent dimming behavior across fixture families and zones.