Outdoor Lighting in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Santa Monica prohibits mercury vapor lamps, drop-down lenses, searchlights, and any flashing or moving lights, and restricts decorative spotlights from being aimed above the horizon between midnight and sunrise.
Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.21.080(D)–(E)
D. Spotlights and Flood Lighting. Spotlights and flood lighting are permitted for the purpose of emphasizing architectural accents or details on buildings, sculptures, or landscaping, as long as such lighting does not create light trespass. Such lighting shall be prohibited between the hours of midnight and sunrise if projected above the horizon. E. Prohibitions. The following lighting fixtures...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Exterior lighting may not spill onto neighboring properties at more than 0.5 foot-candles, and all fixtures must use IESNA 'Cut Off' or 'Full Cut Off' optics to prevent glare onto streets and adjacent land.
Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.21.080(C)(3)–(5), (D)
3. Shielding. All lighting fixtures shall be shielded so as not to produce obtrusive glare onto the public right-of-way or adjacent properties. All luminaries shall meet the most recently adopted criteria of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for "Cut Off" or "Full Cut Off" luminaries. 4. Light Trespass. Lighting may not illuminate other properties in excess of a meas...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Los Angeles County →