Outdoor Lighting in San Ramon, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for San Ramon, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
San Ramon regulates outdoor lighting through its Development Code (Title D) to reduce light pollution, glare, and spillover onto adjacent properties. Requirements include shielded fixtures, downward-directed light, and limits on lumens and color temperature (typically 3000K or below preferred). The city is not a formal IDA Dark Sky community but incorporates dark-sky principles in design review for new development, especially near open space preserves (Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve, Las Trampas).
Lighting: Dark Sky
Some RestrictionsLight Trespass
San Ramon Development Code limits light glare and spillover from private lighting onto neighboring properties and public rights-of-way. Typical standards require illumination at property lines not to exceed 0.5–1.0 foot-candles for residential-adjacent properties, with full-cutoff fixtures required to prevent direct view of light sources from off-site. Violations are handled through code enforcement and may also give rise to civil nuisance claims. Security lighting is allowed but must be shielded and ideally motion-activated.
Lighting: Glare Spillover
Some RestrictionsLooking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Ramon city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Contra Costa County →