Outdoor Lighting in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Santa Maria requires outdoor lighting on mixed-use developments to be shielded so no direct beam reaches a residentially zoned or residentially developed parcel under SMMC Section 12-49.09(a)(2). Fixtures within 50 feet of a residential district or residential lot line may stand no higher than 20 feet, and site lighting is capped at 0.50 foot-candles at a residential-abutting property line.
Santa Maria Mixed-Use Outdoor Lighting Shielding
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Section 12-49.09(a)(2)-(3) (Performance Standards, Glare and Lighting)
Outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting shall be shielded in a manner that prevents a direct line between its luminary and any residentially zoned, planned, or developed parcel. Within 50 feet of a residential zoning district or within 50 feet of the lot line of a lot containing a residential use, lighting shall be installed no higher than 20 feet above the ground directly below the light fixture. O...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Santa Maria caps light trespass from commercial and industrial glare sources at 0.5 footcandle measured in residential districts. Section 12-33.307 requires any operation producing glare to be shielded or conducted so illumination reaching a residential district never exceeds that threshold, and separately bars flickering or intrinsically bright light sources from becoming a nuisance there.
Santa Maria Caps Industrial Glare at 0.5 Footcandle
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code § 12-33.307
Section 12-33.307. Glare. (a) No activity shall be permitted which causes light or glare to be transmitted or reflected in such concentrated quantities as to be detrimental or harmful to the use of surrounding properties or streets. Any operation or activity producing glare shall be conducted or shielded so as not to cause illumination in residential districts in excess of 0.5 footcandle. Flick...
Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Santa Barbara County →