What does basketball court lighting cost, and what rules apply?

Lights turn a court into something you can use on winter evenings and after work, but they are also the part of a court most likely to bother the neighbors and to need a permit. Here is what lighting costs, how much light a court needs, and the rules to check first.

What court lighting costs

Two published US guides give ranges for lighting a home court:

Both read October 26, 2026. These are a guide, not a quote. The price depends on the number of poles, the fixtures, how far the court is from your electrical panel, and whether trenching for the cable can be done while the court is being built.

What pushes the price up

• Court size. A shooting pad may need one pole; a full court needs several to light both ends evenly.
• Distance to power. Every foot of trench and cable from the house adds labor.
• Pole height and footings. Taller poles spread light better but need bigger concrete footings.
• Controls. Timers, dimmers and smart switches cost more but help you stay within any hours rule.
• Solar. It saves trenching but, according to Sport Court of Austin, usually costs more overall.

How much light a court needs

FIBA’s venue guide asks for a minimum of 100 lux of LED light across the playing area for recreational courts. A lux is one lumen per square meter; 100 lux is about 9.3 footcandles. That is far below the 1,200 lux FIBA asks for at televised competitions, but enough to follow the ball and see the rim clearly.

What matters as much as the level is evenness. A single bright light over the hoop leaves dark corners and throws hard shadows. Two or more fixtures, aimed from the sides, give more even light with less glare in players’ eyes. Ask the installer for a simple lighting layout showing where the light falls.

Placing the poles

• Along the sides, not behind the hoops. Lights behind a backboard shine straight into the eyes of anyone shooting.
• Outside the run-off area. Poles should stand clear of where players run, and be padded if close.
• Aimed down. Shielded fixtures that point at the court, not over the fence, keep light where it is needed.
• Planned with the slab. Conduit and footings are cheapest to put in before the concrete is poured.

FIBA also recommends laying out courts used in the early evening close to a north to south line, so the setting sun is not behind a hoop. That helps before the lights come on.

Local rules to check

Lighting is where many cities draw the line on backyard courts. Two examples show the kind of rules you may meet:

Scottsdale, Arizona

A city planning interpretation requires the light source of a lighted court to be at least 20 feet from side and rear property lines, with courts kept out of the front yard. Lighted courts get a site review, and staff may ask for a plot plan, fixture details, a photometric study showing light on neighboring lots, and a drawing of the pole.

Leawood, Kansas

According to the Johnson County Post in 2022, Leawood required a building permit for any sports court, and a special use permit, with Planning Commission and City Council approval, for a court with lights. Court lighting was limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the council was considering shorter hours and bigger setbacks.

Rules like these vary from town to town, and HOAs often add their own. Before you get quotes, ask your city planning department and your HOA:

1. Does a lighted court need a permit, and is it different from an unlit one?
2. How far must poles or courts be from property lines?
3. Is there a maximum pole height?
4. Are there limits on hours, or on light falling onto neighboring lots?
5. Does the electrical work need its own permit and inspection?

Wiring and safety

Court lights run on outdoor circuits, usually with buried cable to each pole. That is work for a licensed electrician, and most places require an electrical permit and inspection. Before trenching, contact 811, the free national call-before-you-dig service, so buried utility lines are marked.

Keeping the neighbors on side

Even within the rules, light and late-night bouncing can cause friction. Shielded fixtures, a timer that switches off at a sensible hour, and a word with neighbors before work starts go a long way. Rebound netting at the ends also keeps balls out of their yards.

Adding lights to a court

If you are planning a new court, add lighting to the plan from the start so the conduit and footings go in with the slab. The basketball court cost calculator includes lighting as an extra, and our backyard court guide and outdoor court page cover the rest of the build. If you would like a builder to plan court lighting with you, we can find one who covers your area.