6 Products
Outdoor Area Lights – LED Parking Lot & Site Fixtures
Durable and efficient, outdoor area lights (also called parking lot lights or site lights) deliver uniform illumination for lots, drive lanes, campuses, and perimeters. Pair with LED wall packs for building façades or add LED flood lights to accent signs and landscape features.
DLC Listed
IP65–IP66
Type III/IV/V Optics
0–10V Dimming
Photocell/Motion
120–277V / 347–480V
Choose distributions to match your layout: Type III for drive lanes and perimeter runs, Type IV for forward-throw along lot edges, and Type V for open lots. Output ranges from compact 8,000–12,000 lm for small sites to 30,000+ lm for tall poles and wide coverage. Standard CCTs (3000 K–5000 K) balance visibility, comfort, and local ordinances.
Housings use die-cast aluminum with multi-layer powder coat and UV-stable lenses. Gasketed seals achieve IP65–IP66 protection, while robust thermal paths and surge suppression extend lifespan. Controls-ready drivers support 0–10 V dimming, dusk-to-dawn photocells, and PIR motion sensors to reduce energy spend without sacrificing safety.
Mounting & Pole Options
- Arm/tenon mounts – shoebox style for square/round poles and multi-fixture crossarms.
- Slipfitter mounts – adjustable aiming on 2⅜″ tenons; ideal for retrofits.
- Wall / yoke mounts – building-to-lot transitions, loading areas, and security zones.
Dark-sky tip: Choose full-cutoff optics and lower CCT (≤4000 K) to minimize uplight and glare while meeting
target footcandle levels.
For perimeter buildings and entrances, see our wall packs. Need focused accents or sign lighting? Browse flood lights.
Related Categories
✅ Outdoor Area Light Buying Guide
- Application & Layout: Use area/“shoebox” lights for parking lots, campuses, and roadways where wide, uniform coverage is needed across multiple poles.
- IES Distribution: Select Type II/III for edge-of-lot and roadway lanes, Type IV for forward throw along perimeters, and Type V for symmetrical coverage on centrally located poles.
- Mounting Height & Spacing: Taller poles widen spacing but require higher output. Keep uniformity tight and avoid “bright islands” by planning pole grids and boom lengths.
- Glare, Spill & Dark-Sky: Favor full-cutoff optics and check BUG ratings. Add house-side shields near property lines to reduce trespass and skyglow.
- Output & Efficacy: Look for high lumens-per-watt and precise optics; higher efficacy + good distribution beats raw lumen “overkill.”
- Controls & Networking: Standard 0–10 V dimming; add NEMA 3/5/7-pin receptacles for photocells, shorting caps, nodes, or motion/daylight sensors. Scheduling and step-dimming cut off-hours energy use.
- Durability: IP65+ wet-location, sealed optics, powder-coat finishes, impact-resistant lenses, and 10–20 kV surge protection for outdoor reliability.
- Poles & Wind: Verify EPA (Effective Projected Area) and wind ratings for the fixture + arm + pole. Use 3G vibration-rated luminaires on roadway corridors.
- Color & Visual Comfort: 3000–4000 K for pedestrian comfort; 5000 K for high-visibility/security. CRI ≥70 is standard; higher CRI helps color recognition.
- Electrical: 120–277 V universal drivers for most sites; 347–480 V options for campuses/industrial. Confirm inrush and breaker sizing.
- Listings & Rebates: UL 1598 safety and DLC / DLC Premium for efficiency incentives; verify local program eligibility.
- Serviceability & Warranty: Tool-less access, field-replaceable drivers/boards, and 5–10-year warranties reduce lifetime cost.
- Emergency Egress (Optional): Some models offer UL 924 battery backup or can be fed from life-safety circuits/generators to meet 90-minute egress needs—confirm with your AHJ.
FAQs About Outdoor Area Lights
What is an outdoor area light?
Outdoor area lights (often called “shoebox” lights) are pole-mounted luminaires that deliver wide, uniform illumination across parking lots, campuses, plazas, and roadways.
Which IES distribution should I use?
Type II/III for edge-of-lot and roadway lanes, Type IV for forward throw along perimeters/buildings, and Type V for symmetric coverage on centrally placed poles or islands.
How tall should my poles be?
Common heights are 15–30 ft for lots/campuses. Taller poles can increase spacing and reduce fixture count, but require higher output and attention to glare control and wind loading.
How do I achieve uniform lighting without glare?
Choose optics that match your grid, avoid upward tilt, use full-cutoff distributions, and consider house-side shields near property lines. A photometric layout is the best way to validate uniformity.
Area lights vs. flood lights—what’s the difference?
Area lights are optimized for uniform, wide coverage from poles; flood lights are more directional for aiming façades, signs, or specific targets. Use each where it excels.
What color temperature should I pick?
3000–4000 K is comfortable for pedestrians and mixed-use areas; 5000 K emphasizes contrast for security or vehicular environments. Follow local guidelines for light pollution.
Do I need controls?
Yes—pair photocells for dusk-to-dawn with nodes/sensors via NEMA 3/5/7-pin receptacles for scheduling, dimming, and motion response. Controls can materially cut energy and extend life.
Are outdoor area lights weather-resistant?
Most quality models are IP65+ with sealed optics, corrosion-resistant finishes, and 10–20 kV surge protection. Consider marine-grade options in coastal sites.
What about pole and wind requirements?
Confirm EPA and wind ratings for the entire assembly (fixture + arm + pole). Use properly engineered poles and bases; specify 3G vibration where roadway conditions apply.
Are these fixtures rebate-eligible?
Many DLC/DLC Premium area lights qualify for utility incentives. Check your utility’s catalog for specific models and tiers.
Can area lights provide emergency egress lighting?
Yes—select models include UL 924 battery backup. Alternatively, connect to life-safety circuits/generators to maintain the required 90 minutes of egress illumination (verify with your AHJ).
Do I need high-voltage options?
Use 347–480 V drivers on large campuses or industrial feeders. Most commercial sites run 120–277 V universal drivers.