Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Outdoor Lighting in Anchorage, AK (2026)

3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Anchorage, Alaska, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dark Sky Rules

In Girdwood, exterior site and building lighting must be aimed down and shielded from adjacent properties, and upward-facing fixtures are prohibited outright to cut light pollution in the valley.

Anchorage Girdwood Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rule

Some Restrictions

AMC 21.09.070G.2.c

Exterior site and building wall lighting shall be designed and located to direct light toward the ground, to minimize glare or light trespass onto adjacent properties or light pollution in the valley. The light source shall not be visible at the property line, provided, however, light fixtures for walkways may have a visible light source if diffused by a translucent cover, such as frosted glass...

Light Trespass & Shielding

Anchorage requires parking facilities in nonresidential zoning districts, and parking lots serving nonresidential uses, to meet the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's illumination standards while preventing glare to motorists and light trespass onto adjoining property, under AMC 21.07.100.

Anchorage Bans Light Trespass From Parking Lots

Some Restrictions

AMC 21.07.100

All parking facilities in nonresidential zoning districts and parking facilities which serve nonresidential uses shall have lighting which meets the level of illumination, uniformity ratios, and minimum lumen intensities specified in the illumination guidelines set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. The lighting system shall be designed to prevent glare to motorists on pu...

Billboard Lighting

Anchorage's sign code prohibits billboards and other off-premise advertising signs entirely, so no illuminated billboard structure, digital or static, may be built or operated anywhere within municipal limits.

Anchorage Bans Illuminated Off-Premise Billboards

Heavy Restrictions

AMC § 21.12.080B

Billboards and other off-premise signs. Signs may not be used to display commercial messages relating to products and services that are not offered on the property. C. Any sign or display within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway, or any sign or display beyond 660 feet of the nearest edge of ...