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
Buyers Guide Tips
What to Look for in Outdoor Area Lights
- DLC & rebates: Look for current DLC listing to qualify for utility incentives and verify efficacy vs. rebate tiers.
- Distribution: Match optics to layout—Type III for drives, Type IV forward-throw at edges, Type V for open lots; check BUG ratings for spill/uplight control.
- Lumen package: Size output (≈8k–12k lm small lots, 20k–30k+ lm tall poles) to meet target footcandles and uniformity (e.g., ≤4:1 avg:min).
- CCT & comfort: Choose 3000–4000 K for dark-sky/neighbor comfort; consider 5000 K for high visual acuity where allowed; verify CRI as needed for cameras/security.
- Pole height & wind: Confirm EPA/wind-load for fixture + arm on existing poles and select arm/tenon lengths to keep setbacks and aiming correct.
- Controls-ready: Drivers with 0–10 V dimming; specify NEMA 3-pin/7-pin receptacles, photocell, and motion sensor options for schedules/trim profiles.
- Voltage & surge: Match input (120–277 V or 347–480 V); include 10–20 kV surge protection for outdoor reliability and utility switching transients.
- Ingress & impact: Weather-sealed IP65–IP66 housings with robust lenses; check IK/impact data for drive-lane and campus applications.
- Thermals & life: Verify lumen maintenance (L70 hours) and ambient range; heat-sinking and airflow matter for longevity on high-watt units and hot climates.
- Mounting hardware: Choose arm/tenon, slipfitter (2⅜″ tenon), or wall/yoke to match poles and retrofit conditions; include leveling and aim adjustments as needed.
- Finish & corrosion: Multi-coat powder on die-cast aluminum; consider marine or coastal treatments where salt or chemicals are present.
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 Lights – Spec Guide
- DLC qualification: Specify current DLC listing to access utility rebates and confirm efficacy tiers against program requirements.
- Optical distribution: Choose Type III for drives/perimeters, Type IV for forward-throw edges, and Type V for open lots; review BUG ratings for spill/uplight control and dark-sky goals.
- Lumen package & uniformity: Size output (≈8k–12k lm small lots; 20k–30k+ lm tall poles) to meet target footcandles and ≤4:1 avg:min uniformity where applicable.
- CCT & CRI: 3000–4000 K for neighbor comfort/dark-sky; 5000 K for high visual acuity if allowed; confirm CRI and camera performance for security zones.
- Pole height & EPA/wind: Validate fixture EPA with arms/crossarms against pole/wind maps; select arm/tenon lengths to maintain setbacks and aiming angles.
- Controls readiness: Drivers with 0–10 V dimming; specify NEMA 3-pin/7-pin receptacles, photocells, and PIR/microwave sensors for trimming schedules and occupancy dimming.
- Voltage & surge: Match input 120–277 V or 347–480 V; include 10–20 kV surge protection for utility switching and lightning transients.
- Ingress & impact: Weather-sealed IP65–IP66 housings and robust lenses; confirm impact/IK data for drive lanes, campuses, and athletic areas.
- Thermals & life: Verify L70 lifetime and ambient range; ensure heat-sinking/airflow for high-watt models and hot climates to protect output over time.
- Mounting hardware: Select arm/tenon for poles, slipfitter on 2⅜″ tenons for adjustable aiming, or wall/yoke for building transitions and security zones; include level/tilt adjustments.
- Finish & corrosion: Multi-coat powder on die-cast aluminum; consider marine/coastal treatments where salt or chemicals are present; UV-stable lenses for longevity.
- Wiring & maintenance: Quick-disconnect drivers, tool-less doors (where available), and factory pre-wired controls simplify install and future service.
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 they need higher output and careful attention to glare control and wind loading.
How do I achieve uniform lighting without glare?
Match optics to 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 smart 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 (confirm with your local fire marshal or building inspector).
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.