Outdoor Lighting in Austin, TX (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Austin requires public street and pedestrian lighting, parking lot lighting, pathway lighting, recreational-area lighting, billboard lighting, and building-facade accent lighting on covered development to use fully-shielded or full cut-off fixtures. The standard, set in Chapter 25-2, Subchapter E, Section 2.5 (Exterior Lighting), applies citywide across all zoning districts regardless of roadway type.
Austin Shielded Outdoor Lighting Standard
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Ch. 25-2, Subchapter E, Sec. 2.5(B)-(D) (Exterior Lighting)
B.Fully Shielded or Full Cut-off Light Fixtures Required. The following outdoor lighting applications shall be illuminated by fixtures that are either fully-shielded or full cut-off: 1.Public street and pedestrian lighting;2.Parking lots;3.Pathways;4.Recreational areas;5.Billboards;6.Product display area lighting; and7.Building overhangs and open canopies.C.Lighting of Building Façades.1.Buildi...
Billboard Lighting
Austin's Land Development Code requires billboard lighting to use fully-shielded or full cut-off fixtures under the Exterior Lighting standard in Land Development Code Chapter 25-2, Subchapter E. The rule applies citywide to all zoning districts and roadway types, and compliance is checked during building and site plan review, not after the fact.
Austin Billboards Need Fully Shielded Lighting
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-2, Subchapter E, Article 2, Sec. 2.5.2(B)
B.Fully Shielded or Full Cut-off Light Fixtures Required. The following outdoor lighting applications shall be illuminated by fixtures that are either fully-shielded or full cut-off: (See Figure 34.) 1.Public street and pedestrian lighting;2.Parking lots;3.Pathways;4.Recreational areas;5.Billboards;6.Product display area lighting; and7.Building overhangs and open canopies.
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Travis County →