Outdoor Lighting in Wilmington, NC (2026)
1 verified outdoor lighting rules for Wilmington, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Wilmington doesn't have a single citywide dark-sky ordinance, but its Riverfront Mixed Use District requires every site light to be shielded, angled and limited in intensity so no direct light crosses onto neighboring property, and caps light poles at 12 feet under Sec. 18-202.
Wilmington RFMU District Outdoor Lighting Standards
Some RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 18-202 (RFMU District site design standards)
(5)Site lighting: All site lighting shall be located, angled, shielded, and/or limited in intensity so as to cast no direct light upon adjacent properties, shall minimize off-site backlighting glare, and up-lighting. Light posts shall be no taller than twelve (12) feet.
Looking for New Hanover County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wilmington city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in New Hanover County →