Outdoor Lighting in Fayetteville, NC (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Fayetteville, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Fayetteville has adopted no dark-sky ordinance and holds no dark-sky designation. UDO Section 30-5.E does the comparable work by requiring downward-directed lighting, full cut-off fixtures above 40 watts, and capped mounting heights.
No dark-sky ordinance; downward cut-off rules instead
Some RestrictionsFayetteville, N.C., Unified Development Ordinance § 30-5.E.4
In all districts, lighting shall be directed downward. In addition, upwardly-directed lighting shall not be used to illuminate structures, except for lighting for the American flag or low-wattage architectural lighting approved during Site Plan review.
Light Trespass
Illumination measured at the property line caps at 0.5 foot-candles beside residential and public or institutional uses, and 2.5 foot-candles for commercial, industrial, and parking lots. Fixtures over 40 watts need full cut-off lenses or hoods.
Half a foot-candle at residential property lines
Heavy RestrictionsFayetteville, N.C., Unified Development Ordinance § 30-5.E.5
Light fixtures in excess of 40 watts or 600 lumens shall use full cut-off lenses or hoods to prevent glare or spillover from the project site onto adjacent lands and streets.
Looking for Cumberland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fayetteville city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Cumberland County →