Outdoor Lighting in El Paso, TX (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for El Paso, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
El Paso runs a citywide dark-sky-style Outdoor Lighting Code that sorts every property into one of four lighting zones, E1 through E4, based on the zoning district, with the mountain-overlay zone E1 requiring fully shielded fixtures and the tightest lumen caps. All new outdoor lighting must meet shielding and total-output limits before a permit issues.
El Paso Outdoor Lighting Code Dark-Sky Rules
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code §§ 18.18.010, 18.18.060, 18.18.070
It is the intent of this chapter to define practical and effective measures by which the obtrusive aspects of excessive and/or careless outdoor light usage can be minimized, while preserving safety, security, and the nighttime use and enjoyment of property... All nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures shall have shielding as shown in Table 18.18.070... Lighting Zone E1. This zone shall include all...
Light Trespass & Shielding
El Paso's Outdoor Lighting Code caps light spilling onto a neighbor's yard at 0.25 footcandles measured at the residential property line, five feet above grade. If the building official finds a fixture throwing glare onto a home, the owner gets written notice and ninety days to redirect or shield it, or face a misdemeanor citation.
El Paso Light Trespass Rules for Neighbors
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 18.18.270 (Lighting causing light trespass)
A. If after complaint and investigation, the director finds that a light fixture directs light toward residential buildings, the director shall give written notice of such violation to the owner and/or to the occupant of such premises demanding that the violation be abated within ninety days of the date of written notice. B. Light trespass onto residential property from lighting shall be remedi...
Billboard Lighting
Digital billboards (CEVM signs) in El Paso can't shine brighter than 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light, measured at set distances that scale with sign size, under City Code § 20.18.280. Every CEVM display must also carry a dimmer, a photocell that adjusts brightness automatically, and a 'full black' shutoff for malfunctions.
El Paso Digital Billboard Lighting Limits
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 20.18.280(A)
A.Intensity:1.All CEVM displays shall be illuminated at a level no greater than 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light levels for the location and time and shall employ light cutoff devices such as, but not limited to, louvers in order to minimize light escaping above the horizontal plane. Foot-candle readings shall be measured at ground level at the following distances:a.Signs between zero to one...
Looking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Paso city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in El Paso County →