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Outdoor Lighting in Renton, WA (2026)

2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Renton, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dark Sky Rules

Renton requires exterior fixtures to be shielded and directed downward: building lights can't shine above the roofline, and parking lot lights must sit under 25 feet with cutoff-type luminaires, under RMC 4-4-075.E.

Renton Outdoor Lighting Shielding Standards

Some Restrictions

RMC 4-4-075.E

E. STANDARDS: No use or activity shall cause light trespass beyond the boundaries of the property lines. 1. Building Lights: All building lights shall be directed onto the building itself or the ground immediately abutting to it. The light emissions shall not be visible above the roofline of the building. 2. Parking Lot or Display Lot Lights: Parking lot or display lot light fixtures shall be n...

Light Trespass & Shielding

Renton flatly bars any use or activity from causing light trespass beyond a property's boundary lines, and the rule reaches existing residential lighting that creates a nuisance for neighbors, not just new fixtures, under RMC 4-4-075.

Renton Light Trespass Onto Neighbors Ban

Some Restrictions

RMC 4-4-075.A, B, E, G

A. PURPOSE: The purpose of these regulations is to provide for ample but not excessive illumination levels, promote the general public health, welfare, and safety, to discourage light trespass beyond the boundaries of the property on which the light is located... B. APPLICABILITY: The standards of this Section shall apply to the addition or replacement of light fixtures. Additionally, the stand...

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

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

Outdoor Lighting in King County