Outdoor Lighting in Boise, ID (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Boise, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Boise requires fully shielded, full-cutoff outdoor light fixtures citywide to cut glare, sky-glow, and light spilling onto neighbors.
Boise Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-04-011
B. Shielding: (1) All lighting fixtures, except motion detector-activated lighting, shall be fully shielded so that the lighting element is not visible to an observer at any property line. (2) Unless otherwise specified, all lighting fixtures shall be full cutoff type as installed... C. Light Trespass: All lighting shall be designed so that the lighting level at each property line that does not...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Boise caps light trespass, mandates fully shielded fixtures, and requires most outdoor lights off after 11 p.m. under City Code § 11-04-011.
Boise Exterior Lighting Standards
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-04-011
All lighting fixtures, except motion detector-activated lighting, shall be fully shielded so that the lighting element is not visible to an observer at any property line. (2) Unless otherwise specified, all lighting fixtures shall be full cutoff type as installed. [https://export.amlegal.com/media/d6fb9af378cfd952023978abcf2d6c995555e65d/ IMAGES/0-0-0-6241.jpg] Figure 4.40. Examples ...
Billboard Lighting
Boise caps electronic billboard brightness at 5,000 nits and requires sign lighting not trespass onto neighboring properties.
Boise Billboard Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-04-012.9.B
(d) That sign lighting will not trespass onto adjacent properties. ... (i) Electronic message displays are allowed with static frame effects that change with no transition - no more frequently than every 8 seconds. Brightness levels shall comply with Section 11-04-012.7.A(5)(b)vi. ... The brightness or intensity of the EMD shall be factory set not to exceed 5,000 nits on clear days and 500 nits...
Looking for Ada County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boise city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Ada County →