Citrus Heights's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Citrus Heights, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dark Sky Rules

Citrus Heights requires shielded, downward-directed outdoor lighting for new commercial and multifamily development to reduce glare and light pollution. Title 24 Part 6 (CA Energy Code) mandates efficient, cutoff luminaires. No formal Dark Sky ordinance exists.

Key details: Formal Ordinance: None (no IDA designation). Fixture Type: Shielded, full-cutoff. State Code: Title 24 Part 6. Commercial: Controls & BUG ratings. Spillover: Cannot cross property line.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Light Trespass

Light trespass onto neighboring properties in Citrus Heights is actionable under CHMC nuisance provisions and Civil Code §3479. Light shining directly into residential windows or bedrooms can be declared a public nuisance subject to abatement.

Key details: Nuisance Law: Civil Code §3479. Local: CHMC zoning lighting rules. Remedy: Shield, aim down, reduce. Court Action: Private nuisance available. Security Lights: OK with motion sensor.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

The Bottom Line

Citrus Heights'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 Citrus Heights is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Citrus Heights's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.