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 decisions are driven by optic distribution, mounting height, target illuminance, and control of glare and light trespass. A functional design meets performance targets without creating visual discomfort for drivers or pedestrians and without triggering dark-sky or property-line compliance issues. This buying guide covers LED area lights, canopy lights, flood lights, and wall packs with a focus on layout behavior, shielding strategy, and long-term driver survival.

Use this page for fixed commercial exterior systems that light parking lots, drives, loading zones, walkways, building perimeters, and canopies. For indoor 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.

If you need the master framework that ties these topics together (fixture selection logic, code alignment, and performance standards), start with the commercial lighting specification guides hub.

This guide addresses permanent site lighting. If the project is a short-duration deployment, work-zone, or rapid setup where mounting conditions and power constraints change frequently, use the temporary LED lighting buying guide.

Last reviewed: January 2026 · Aligned with current commercial site-lighting layout practices and dark-sky compliance 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 lighting 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 under a pole.
Compliance changes fixture choice. Dark-sky limits, uplight restrictions, and property-line spill often require shielding, cutoff optics, and mounting strategy changes.

Related Commercial Lighting Buying Guides

In this guide

Start With the 3 Site Lighting Truths

Optics and geometry determine results. A mismatched distribution produces hot spots under poles and dark zones between them, even with high-lumen fixtures.
Uniformity is the performance target. Perceived safety and comfort track with consistency across the pavement and pedestrian paths, not peak brightness.
Compliance affects design decisions. Dark-sky rules, shielding requirements, and property-line limits can change fixture selection, mounting position, and aiming strategy.

The Primary Decision Table: Match the Area to the Fixture

This table maps common site zones to fixture families that consistently perform well outdoors. Use this as the first pass, then validate pole height, spacing, and distribution with the dedicated sub-guides below.

Site Zone-to-Fixture Selection Map
Site Zone	Best-Fit Fixture Types	Optic Priority	Cross-Link for Layout Details
Parking lots & open areas	LED area lights	Type III / Type V distribution + shielding	LED area lights buying guide
Building perimeters & walkways	LED wall lights	Cutoff + controlled forward throw	LED wall lights buying guide
Security perimeters requiring wall-pack form factors	LED wall pack lights	Cutoff type + forward throw + backlight limits	LED wall pack lights buying guide
Loading areas, service yards, and targeted task zones	LED flood lights	Beam angle + aiming geometry + spill control	LED flood lights buying guide
Gas stations & covered canopies	LED canopy lights	Wide uniform downlight + glare control at approach angles	LED canopy lighting buying guide
Temporary sites & job areas	LED temporary lighting	Rapid deploy + coverage planning + power constraints	Temporary LED lighting buying guide

Pole Height, Spacing, and Optics (Type III vs Type V)

Outdoor performance problems are typically caused by a mismatch between mounting height, pole spacing, and optic distribution. A fixture can look correct on paper and still produce patchy coverage if the optic footprint does not match the site geometry.

For parking lots and pole-mounted layouts, the fastest path to fewer redesigns is to select the distribution family first, then validate spacing with the pole plan. If you need deeper distribution and spacing guidance, use the LED area lights buying guide.

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 symmetrical 360° coverage is required.
Spacing discipline: Wider spacing increases dependence on optic control and mounting height; higher output alone does not correct poor geometry.

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 reduce uplight, and controlled beams reduce spill near property lines.

BUG Ratings, Dark Sky, and Light Trespass Control

Dark-sky compliance is driven by measurable control of uplight, backlight, and glare. Color temperature alone does not control high-angle brightness or property-line spill.

Outdoor systems are increasingly reviewed for uplight control and light trespass at the edges of the site. BUG (Backlight, Uplight, Glare) provides a practical framework even when a project does not require a formal BUG rating.

Backlight control: Limits spill into adjacent properties and reduces complaint risk.
Uplight control: Shielding and cutoff reduce sky glow and improve ordinance alignment.
Glare control: High-angle brightness can reduce visibility for drivers and pedestrians even when horizontal light levels are high.

Near property lines, prioritize shielding and distribution control first, then finalize lumen output. This reduces redesign risk during plan review.

Glare Control and Visual Comfort for Drivers and Pedestrians

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

Balance horizontal illuminance on the pavement with vertical visibility at entrances, walkways, and loading areas while limiting high-angle brightness in direct view. For wall-mounted perimeter systems where glare is often experienced at approach angles, reference the LED wall lights buying guide and the LED wall pack lights buying guide.

Use cutoff optics where fixtures are visible to drivers at approach angles.
Prioritize uniform distribution over bright pools with dark gaps, especially in pedestrian paths and travel lanes.
Account for vertical illumination at entrances and loading areas to support wayfinding and cameras without increasing glare.

Surge Protection, Voltage, and Driver Survival

Outdoor fixture failures are commonly driven by the driver and electrical environment. Surge exposure, heat, and water intrusion often cause nuisance failures before LED arrays reach end of life.

Surge protection: Long pole runs and storm exposure increase transient risk; specify appropriate protection and coordinated suppression where required.
Voltage range: Verify site power (including multi-voltage conditions) before standardizing a fixture family.
Service access: Where downtime matters, prioritize fixtures with serviceable designs and predictable replacement paths.

Environmental Durability: Coastal Corrosion, IP/IK, and Heat

Outdoor labeling is not specific enough for long-term performance. Match construction to water intrusion risk, dust, impact exposure, corrosion, and thermal conditions.

IP rating: Relevant for wind-driven rain, dusty lots, and exposed mounting locations.
IK rating: Relevant where impact risk exists, including public-facing sites and loading zones.
Coastal or corrosive exposure: Housing material, finish system, and fastener selection affect service life in salt air.
Thermal management: Hot climates and enclosed optics require robust heat dissipation to protect drivers and maintain output stability.

Controls: Photocells, Sensors, and Code Alignment

Outdoor controls affect operating cost and compliance and should be specified with the fixture family to reduce commissioning risk and maintain consistent behavior across zones.

Photocells: Standard for dusk-to-dawn operation on most sites.
Time scheduling: Supports late-night dimming where policy or ordinance applies.
Occupancy and motion control: Useful in low-traffic zones when paired with defined minimum light levels.
Consistency across zones: Mixed dimming behavior can create uneven appearance and unpredictable site operation.

Site Lighting Specification Checklist

Use this checklist when standardizing fixtures across a property or correcting a spec that has drifted into inconsistent substitutions. The objective is to reduce avoidable issues during submittal, installation, commissioning, and review.

Commercial Site Lighting Specification Checklist
Spec Item	What to Look For	Why It Matters
Zone definition (lot, drive, perimeter, loading, canopy)	A labeled site plan with intended coverage outcomes by area	Prevents one-fixture-fits-all substitutions that break uniformity and compliance.
Mounting height & pole spacing	Documented heights, spacing intent, and pole placement constraints	Controls uniformity and reduces hot spots and dark gaps.
Optic distribution choice	Type III vs Type V selection (and where each is used)	Matches the footprint to the coverage geometry and reduces spill.
Glare control / cutoff strategy	Cutoff optics, shielding options, and high-angle brightness control	Improves driver and pedestrian visibility and reduces discomfort.
Property-line spill control	House-side shielding where needed; perimeter strategy documented	Reduces complaint risk and improves review outcomes.
Surge protection approach	Protection level appropriate for outdoor exposure and long conductor runs	Reduces premature driver failures and maintenance calls.
Environmental durability	IP/IK appropriateness; corrosion and finish system matched to exposure	Reduces intrusion, corrosion, and optical degradation over time.
Controls behavior by zone	Photocell, schedule, and sensor intent documented with safe minimum levels	Avoids commissioning issues and inconsistent site appearance.

Shop Commercial Site Lighting by Category

Well-specified site lighting produces consistent coverage, reduces glare complaints, and limits redesign risk during review. Use the decision map to match zones to fixture families, then use the linked sub-guides to confirm distribution, mounting geometry, spill control, and controls behavior before standardizing a site-wide configuration.

Commercial Site Lighting — Technical FAQs

What is the most important decision in a site lighting layout?

Optic distribution matched to mounting height and spacing. If the distribution footprint does not align with pole placement and zone geometry, the layout produces bright pools and dark gaps even when fixture lumens are high.

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

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

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

Backlight and uplight. A site can meet horizontal illuminance targets while still pushing light beyond the property line or above the horizontal due to optic choice, mounting position, aiming, or a lack of shielding near edges.

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 footcandles on pavement. Cutoff optics, shielding, mounting position, and aiming strategy should be selected so fixtures are not producing peak intensity in direct view.

What is the most common reason outdoor LED drivers fail early?

Electrical transients combined with heat and moisture exposure. Long conductor runs, pole-top exposure, and storm activity increase surge risk. Heat buildup and water intrusion accelerate driver stress and can cause nuisance failures before LED arrays reach end of life.

When should wall packs or wall lights be chosen instead of pole-mounted area lights?

Use wall-mounted systems when the goal is perimeter coverage, doorway and walkway visibility, and controlled forward throw from the building line. Pole-mounted area lights are typically used for open parking fields and drives where coverage geometry is set by pole spacing.

How should controls be integrated without creating uneven site appearance?

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