Outdoor Lighting in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Scottsdale, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Scottsdale's Zoning Ordinance requires shields, downward-directed sources, and full cutoff fixtures once a luminaire exceeds 3,050 total initial lumens. Detached single-family homes and their accessory buildings skip Development Review Board review; almost everything else needs DRB sign-off before the fixture goes in.
Scottsdale Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 7.602
A.Outdoor lighting, except searchlights and sign lighting, shall meet the standards of Tables 7.602.A.1. and A.2. ... Table 7.602.A.2. Additional Standards for Other Outdoor Lighting Total Initial Lumens of All Light Sources Within a Luminaire Lighting Shield Direct Downward Full Cutoff 1600 or less Yes 1 , No Yes 1 , No 2 No Over 1600 to 3050 Yes Yes 1 , No 2, 3 No Over 3050 Yes Yes Yes
Light Trespass & Shielding
Scottsdale measures light trespass at the property line, six feet above grade, with the meter facing the lit property. Non-residential or multi-family light spilling onto single-family land is capped at 0.3 foot candles, and single-family-to-single-family spillover is capped at 0.1 foot candles under Sec. 7.602.
Scottsdale Light Trespass Limits at Property Lines
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 7.602
3. Light trespass is measured at the property line at a point six feet above the finished grade, with the light meter facing the interior of the property on which the light source is placed. 4. Maximum light trespass: a. Non-residential or multiple-family use adjacent to or abutting single-family residential use, maximum: 0.3 foot candles. b. Single-family residential use adjacent to or abuttin...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Scottsdale city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Maricopa County →