How Greeley Handles Outdoor Lighting: A Practical Guide
Greeley maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with outdoor lighting. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Greeley falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Dark Sky Rules
Commercial, mixed-use and industrial sites in Greeley must use LED, International Dark-Sky Association-compliant fixtures that are shielded and aimed downward; low-pressure sodium fixtures are banned outright under the city's nonresidential design standards.
Key details: Governing section: Sec. 24-603(e)(4). Fixture standard: LED, Dark Sky compliant, full cutoff. Banned fixture type: Low-pressure sodium lighting. Applies to: Commercial, mixed-use, industrial districts. Adopted: Ord. No. 35, 2021.
Violations are code infractions under Sec. 24-104(c), enforceable through denial or revocation of site-plan/building permits, stop-work orders, and civil or administrative sanctions under Title 1, Chapter 10.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Greeley caps glare and light spillage at the property line for commercial, mixed-use and industrial sites, and bars any activity within 500 feet of a residential zone from producing glare above 0.0 footcandle there.
Key details: Governing section: Sec. 24-603(e)(4)(b), (f). Property-line limit: No glare/spillage visible at line. Near residential zones: 0.0 footcandle cap within 500 ft. Exception: Parking/recreation lit up to 1.0 fc.
Light trespass beyond the property line is a code infraction under Sec. 24-104(c); the city can withhold or revoke site-plan and building permits, issue stop-work orders, or pursue civil sanctions under Title 1, Chapter 10.
The Bottom Line
Greeley'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 Greeley is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Greeley's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.