Outdoor Lighting in Concord, NC (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Concord, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Concord's Development Ordinance requires nonresidential and multifamily lighting to be designed so light is directed away from public rights-of-way and residential areas. Mixed-Use (MX) district development goes further, mandating full cutoff, shielded fixtures and a detailed lighting plan filed with every final site plan application.
Concord, NC Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsConcord Development Ordinance §§ 10.3.1.C.4 and 9.3.14.R.1
§10.3.1.C.4 Exterior Lighting: "Lighting sources shall be designed and constructed so as to direct light away from public rights-of-way and residentially zoned or developed areas." ... §9.3.14.R.1 Shielding: "All exterior lighting shall be arranged to reflect away from any adjoining premises and any public right of way, and shall be shielded to contain all direct rays on the site. The light ele...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Concord's Development Ordinance requires exterior lighting installed for any accessory use or structure, garages, sheds, pools, and tennis courts, to be positioned so it does not direct or reflect light onto adjoining land. The rule is a placement standard, not a numeric footcandle limit.
Concord Bars Accessory Lighting Glare Onto Neighbors
Some RestrictionsConcord Development Ordinance § 8.4.5
8.4.5. LIGHTING - Exterior lighting for accessory uses and/or structures shall be placed so as to not direct or reflect light upon adjoining land.
Billboard Lighting
Concord bans LED and electronic reader boards on standard billboards outright. The only path to an illuminated digital billboard face is the narrow conversion process in CDO Section 12.5.3, which requires the sign to sit near a limited access highway and meet North Carolina Department of Transportation lighting and message-duration standards.
Concord Billboard LED and Lighting Rules
Heavy RestrictionsConcord Development Ordinance § 12.5.2.L; § 12.5.3.C
L. Billboards with LED or electronic reader boards are not permitted. (See Section 12.2 Prohibited signs) 12.5.3. DIGITAL DISPLAY BILLBOARD CONVERSION The conversion of existing static billboards to digital display sign faces shall be permitted in accordance with the following additional standards: C. Standards for Billboards with Digital Displays In addition to meeting the standards of Section...
Looking for Cabarrus County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Concord city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Cabarrus County →