How Many Streetlights You Really Need for a Parking Lot: A Contractor’s Formula
Whether you’re lighting a hotel parking lot, a shopping center, or a church campus, guessing your streetlight count isn’t going to cut it. The right number of fixtures keeps your property safe, reduces liability, and gives customers or guests peace of mind. Too few lights and you’ve got dark zones. Too many and you’re overspending — on equipment and power bills.
At Raytech, we work with everyone from developers to contractors to small business owners looking for a straight answer. Here’s a practical guide to help you calculate exactly how many streetlights you need — without the fluff.
Step 1: Know the Size of the Area
Get the full square footage of the parking lot or roadway you’re illuminating. A rough drawing and dimensions will do.
Small commercial lot: 5,000–10,000 sq ft
Medium: 10,000–50,000 sq ft
Large: 50,000+ sq ft
Pro tip: Use Google Earth or a laser measure if you don’t have blueprints.
Step 2: Consider Light Pole Height and Fixture Type
The height of your poles directly impacts how far apart your lights can be placed — and how much coverage you’ll get.
Here’s a quick way to think about it:
12-foot poles: Best for small lots or walkways. Space them about 25 to 35 feet apart, and pair with 40W to 70W LED fixtures.
20-foot poles: Great for medium-sized parking lots. Space them around 60 to 80 feet apart, with 100W to 150W LED fixtures.
30-foot poles: Ideal for large or open areas. Space them 100 to 150 feet apart, using 200W to 300W LED fixtures.
The higher the pole, the fewer you’ll need—but keep in mind that taller poles mean larger fixtures, higher installation costs, and sometimes additional wind-load requirements.
For most small to medium commercial parking lots, 12 to 20 feet is the sweet spot for height, performance, and cost efficiency.
Step 3: Use the Parking Lot Rule of Thumb
There are a few solid baseline formulas out there, but this one works well for most lots:
1 streetlight per 4–6 parking spaces
or
1 fixture per 1,200–1,600 sq ft
This assumes you’re using quality commercial-grade LED fixtures — not dim or low-end products.
Step 4: Identify Trouble Zones
Some areas need extra light:
Entrances and exits
Walkways and stairwells
Drive lanes near buildings
ADA parking spaces
Dumpster enclosures
We recommend using a Type III or Type V light distribution for even coverage in high-traffic zones. Here’s a breakdown of light distribution types if you're not sure which to pick.
Step 5: Choose the Right Light Fixture
This is where performance really matters. At Raytech, we carry commercial LED streetlights with high lumen-per-watt ratios — meaning more light with less power.
Look for:
DLC-listed products (eligible for rebates)
IP65 or higher for outdoor durability
Die-cast aluminum housing for long life
Multiple Kelvin options (4000K–5000K is standard for parking lots)
Shop our LED streetlight collection →
Bonus: Use Photometric Layouts (When It’s Worth It)
If your lot is large, has complex layout (islands, trees, multiple sections), or you’re doing a public project — go pro with a photometric layout.
Many lighting designers offer these and we can assist with recommendations. It simulates exactly how your chosen lights will perform in your space.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to guess. If you’ve got square footage and an idea of pole height, you can get pretty close to a solid streetlight estimate using this guide. And if you’re not sure? That’s what we’re here for.
Send us your lot details and we’ll help you spec the right number and type of lights — so you can get it done right the first time.