Outdoor Lighting in Glendale, CA (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Glendale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Glendale's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) district enforces a strict outdoor lighting shielding standard under Municipal Code Section 30.16.070(J). Every new fixture on a TOD project must be fully shielded from the top so light points down and stays confined to the site, with no spillover onto neighboring lots or the public realm. Parking, driveway and walkway lighting is capped at 16 feet, and overall fixture height cannot exceed the district's maximum building height.
Glendale TOD District Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsGlendale, CA, Municipal Code § 30.16.070(J) (TOD District Architectural Elements: Outdoor Lighting)
Architectural Elements: Outdoor Lighting. Lighting can create a unique aesthetic, highlight the design of a building, provide Illumination for business operations, and enhance safety for pedestrians and other users, while minimizing impacts of light glare, pollution and trespass. All new lighting shall comply with the following standards: 1. Outdoor light fixtures shall be fully shielded from t...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Glendale caps outdoor light trespass under Municipal Code Section 30.30.040(A), which governs lighting citywide in the C1, C2, C3, CR, CPD, CH, CA, DSP, IND, IMU, IMU-R, SFMU, TOD, MS, P overlay and PS overlay zones. Parking structure rooftop lighting cannot exceed one-half foot-candle measured at the property line, four feet above grade, and site lighting must be aimed onto driveways, walkways and parking areas, away from neighboring lots and public rights-of-way.
Glendale Outdoor Lighting Trespass Standards
Some RestrictionsGlendale, CA, Municipal Code § 30.30.040(A) (Lighting: Commercial, Industrial, Mixed-Use and TOD Zones)
In the C1, C2, C3, CR, CPD, CH, CA, DSP, IND, IMU, IMU-R, SFMU, TOD, MS, P overlay and PS overlay zones lighting for uncovered parking areas, vehicle accessways and walkways shall not exceed a height of 16 feet. Such overall height shall be measured from the paved parking area surface to the uppermost part of the light standard, including the light globe. Lighting shall be directed onto the dri...
Billboard Lighting
Glendale's Nonessential Energy Use ordinance sets exact billboard lighting hours: sunset to ten-thirty p.m., once the city activates Chapter 13.48 during a declared fuel shortage. Municipal Code Section 13.48.010 also caps outdoor sign, floodlighting and holiday-display hours, backed by Glendale Water and Power's authority to cut electric service to violators.
Glendale Billboard Illumination Hours Ordinance
Some RestrictionsGlendale, CA, Municipal Code § 13.48.010(A)(2)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A)(1) of this section, each business establishment may operate its window and display lighting and illuminate two outdoor signs between the hours of sunset and one-half hour after closing or ten-thirty p.m., whichever is later, and each billboard may be illuminated between the hours of sunset and ten-thirty p.m. Each business establishment may opera...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Glendale city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Los Angeles County →