Outdoor Lighting in Union City, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Union City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Light Trespass & Shielding
Union City requires site lighting on qualifying new development to be shielded from adjacent residential windows and private outdoor areas, keeping glare off neighboring homes and yards.
Union City Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.24.050(D)(4)(b)
Maximum Height of Freestanding Lighting Standards. The maximum height of a freestanding lighting standard in pedestrian areas and courtyards is 16 feet. Lighting shall be shielded from adjacent residential windows and private outdoor areas. c. Attached Fixtures. Fixtures on buildings shall be attached only to walls or eaves, and the top of the fixture shall not exceed the height of the parap...
Billboard Lighting
Union City bans billboards and other off-premises advertising signs outright under § 18.30.050(H), so no illuminated billboard structure, lit or unlit, may legally go up anywhere within city limits.
Union City Billboard Ban Covers Lighting
Heavy RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.050(H)
Unless otherwise expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter, the following signs are prohibited in any zoning district: ... H. Billboards and off-premises signs, except signs specifically allowed pursuant to Section 18.30.040 or 18.30.060, or freestanding signs which identify a use or occupant of a parcel within the City without street frontage;
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Union City city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Alameda County →