Outdoor Lighting in Los Banos, CA (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Los Banos, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Los Banos requires all outdoor light fixtures to be "fully shielded" so no light escapes above the horizontal plane, caps ground-mounted walkway lights at 20 feet, limits building luminance to 10 foot-candles, and restricts bulb types to a defined list under its Article 33 design standards.
Los Banos Dark-Sky Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3306; § 9-3.3308(a), (c), (e)
Fully shielded lights.Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that no light rays are emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane as certified by a photometric test report. ... Maximum Height. The maximum height of ground-mounted luminaires for pedestrian walkways may not exceed twenty (20′) feet, unless exempted. ... Light from Buildings. Luminance levels sha...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Los Banos's outdoor lighting ordinance defines light trespass as light shining beyond a property's boundaries and requires fixtures to be fully shielded from adjacent properties. Any fixture within 15 feet of a residential zoned property or public right-of-way must be aimed away and shielded, with violations pursued as a civil infraction.
Los Banos Light Trespass Onto Neighboring Property
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.3306; § 9-3.3308(b), (f)
Light trespass.The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located. ... Lamp Illumination. The illumination from a lamp shall be fully shielded from view from adjacent properties and public right-of-ways, except as otherwise permitted herein. ... Lighting Adjacent to Residentially Zone Property. Standards for lights adjacent to or within fif...
Billboard Lighting
Los Banos allows a billboard to be electrically illuminated but Municipal Code § 9-3.2819(i)(4)(C) draws one hard line: no neon illumination. Reflective paint and reflective material are permitted instead, and the whole structure is capped at twenty-five feet with a twelve-foot minimum clearance above grade, all under a Planning Commission use permit.
Los Banos Limits Billboard Illumination
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-3.2819(i)(4)(C)
Standards for billboard signs (nonappurtenant). (1) Size. (A) The maximum sign area shall be 300 square feet. The maximum height shall be twelve (12′) feet. (B) The total maximum height of such signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25′) feet from the grade. The minimum clearance from the grade to the bottom of the sign shall be twelve (12′) feet. ... (4) Prohibitions. ... (C) Electrical illuminat...