Outdoor Lighting in Cedar Park, TX

If you live in Cedar Park or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Cedar Park has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.

Dark Sky Rules

Cedar Park requires all outdoor lighting fixtures to be full cutoff, concealed within opaque housing, and aimed downward to keep light spill out of the night sky and off adjacent properties.

Key details: Fixture type required: Full cutoff, opaque housing. Governing code: § 12.12.021(a)(6). Parking area light height cap: 25 feet maximum. Near-residential light height cap: 15 feet within 50 feet.

Development plans with noncompliant fixtures are rejected in review by the Director of Development Services; installed fixtures that violate the standard must be replaced or retrofitted before occupancy is approved.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Cedar Park requires accent, architectural, and landscape lighting fixtures to be located, aimed, or shielded so they don't spill light into the night sky.

Key details: Accent lighting rule: Must be shielded from night sky. Governing code: § 12.12.021(a)(12). Laser/searchlight advertising: Prohibited outright. Sports field lighting curfew: Off by 10:00 p.m..

Accent or architectural lighting shown spilling into the night sky is rejected at plan review; laser or searchlight advertising and post-10 p.m. sports field lighting draw code enforcement action.

The Bottom Line

Cedar Park's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Cedar Park is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Cedar Park can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.