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Use of Portable Lights on School Athletic Fields


Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has created a new process for requesting an exception to the regulation that prohibits the use of portable lights on athletic fields. This pertains to the use of portable lighting equipment after sunset on school athletic fields, as long as the permitted use and use of the portable lights ends no later than 9:00 p.m.

As you may expect, concerns remain about the impact of portable lights surrounding nearby residential properties, the possibility of damage being incurred to fields or other grassy areas, the liabilities surrounding the light systems being placed on the grounds, etc. These have been among the top discussion topics for many years when considering requests for lighting fields after sunset here in Montgomery County. 

To request an exception or obtain additional information, please send organization name, address, point-of-contact, phone number, details of why an exception is being sought, and the school location(s) where permits have been issued for use via email to Gregory Kellner (gregory_kellner@mcpsmd.org) at MCPS. 

Organizations, informal community groups, individuals and or others may not place or use portable lights on the premises of any school at any time unless written permission granting an exception has been received from Greg Kellner at MCPS. 

If an exception is granted by MCPS, athletic field users must ensure that they have received a permit from Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) for all hours of athletic field use.

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Office of Community Use of Public Facilities
Montgomery County Government, Maryland
Phone: 240-777-2725