Outdoor Lighting in Lakewood, WA (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Lakewood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Lakewood requires every outdoor luminaire to be fully shielded so no light escapes into the sky, and bans upward-aimed 'uplighting' in its two lowest-intensity zones. LMC 18A.60.095(C)(1) and (E)(2)(b) set the shielding and BUG-rating standard that protects both the night sky and Joint Base Lewis-McChord's pilot training missions.
Lakewood, WA Dark-Sky Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.60.095(C)(1), (E)(2)(b)
1. Shielding. ... All luminaires shall be fully shielded and shall not emit light into the upper hemisphere around the luminaire once installed, except in accordance with Figure 6. Support and mounting systems for luminaires shall not allow post-installation adjustments that could defeat compliance with this requirement. ... b. ... In Lighting Zones 1 and 2, the BUG uplighting value (U) shall b...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Lakewood's outdoor lighting code caps how much light a fixture can throw onto a neighbor's property. Under LMC 18A.60.095(C)(3), every installation must be designed to keep light trespass within the numeric limits set by Table 1 and Table 2, tied to the property's assigned Lighting Zone. The Planning and Public Works Department enforces the standard through the lighting permit process.
Light Trespass Limits for Outdoor Lighting in Lakewood, WA
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.60.095(C)(3), Table 1
3. Prevention of Light Trespass. All lighting shall be designed and implemented to mitigate light trespass onto adjacent properties. The maximum allowable light trespass shall be per Table 1 and Table 2. ... | | ... Lighting Zone 1 | Lighting Zone 2 | Lighting Zone 3 | | | (One) | (Two) | (Three) ...
Billboard Lighting
Lakewood, Washington restricts billboard illumination under LMC 18A.100.080(D)(6)(c). Billboards may not carry flashing, intermittent or moving lights, and any illumination must be shielded so light hits only the billboard face, never the traveled way of a highway. The City can order fixes for excessive glare at its sole discretion.
Lakewood, WA Billboard Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.100.080(D)(6)(c)
c. Billboards that contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving lights shall not be altered or modified, except to remove or reduce such lights. Billboards shall not include lighting unless it is effectively shielded so that the light is directed to the billboard face and prevents beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of ...
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lakewood city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Pierce County →