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CityRuleLookup

Outdoor Lighting in Palo Alto, CA (2026)

2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Palo Alto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dark Sky Rules

Palo Alto regulates outdoor lighting under its zoning code to prevent light pollution and glare, with full cutoff fixtures required for new installations and shielding standards for commercial uses.

Palo Alto Dark Sky and Light Pollution Rules

Some Restrictions

Light Trespass

Palo Alto prohibits lighting that unreasonably intrudes on neighboring property, with code enforcement responding to complaints about glare, spillover, and excessive brightness.

Palo Alto Light Trespass Rules

Some Restrictions

Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palo Alto city rules.

Outdoor Lighting in Santa Clara County