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Outdoor Lighting in Auburn, AL (2026)

2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Auburn, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dark Sky Rules

Auburn's zoning ordinance requires all outdoor lighting for parking areas and building exteriors to be directed or shielded away from adjacent property, sidewalks and streets. Canopy-style fixtures over gas pumps and car washes must be fully recessed into the underside of the structure. The Planning Department enforces the standard under Section 515 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Auburn, AL Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules

Some Restrictions

Zoning Ordinance § 515

All lighting fixtures incorporated into non-enclosed structures (i.e. gas pump canopies, car washes, etc.) must be fully recessed into the underside of such structures. All lighting must be directed and/or shielded so as to focus lighting onto the use as established and away from adjacent property and areas of pedestrian and vehicular traffic including, but not limited to, sidewalks and streets.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Auburn caps outdoor light spilling onto neighboring land at one foot-candle measured at any property line next to a residential development and five foot-candles at a line next to a nonresidential use. Section 515 of the Zoning Ordinance applies the limit to parking-lot and building lighting citywide, alongside a separate shielding mandate.

Auburn, AL Light Trespass Foot-Candle Limits

Some Restrictions

Zoning Ordinance § 515

Light or glare from any operation and all lighting for parking areas or for the external illumination of buildings or grounds shall be directed or located in such a manner that direct or indirect illumination from the source of light shall not exceed one (1) foot candle when measured from any property line adjoining a residential development or five (5) foot candles for any property adjoining a...

Looking for Lee County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Auburn city rules.

Outdoor Lighting in Lee County