Dark Sky Rules: Arvada vs Lakewood
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Arvada, CO and Lakewood, CO?
Arvada and Lakewood have similar restriction levels.
Arvada, CO
Jefferson County
Arvada regulates outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution and glare. Fully shielded fixtures required for new installations. Lighting must be directed downward and not trespass onto neighboring properties.
View full Arvada rules →Lakewood, CO
Jefferson County
Jeffco Section 12 requires exterior lights to be full cut-off fixtures above set brightness thresholds - all lamps in mountain areas, and lamps over roughly 1,750 lumens (residential) or 2,800 lumens (plains). Pole heights are capped at 14 feet in the mountains and 20 feet in the plains.
View full Lakewood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures | Fully shielded required | - |
| Direction | Downward only | - |
| Color Temp | 3000K or below preferred | - |
| Topic | Dark Sky Rules | - |
| Full cut-off (mountains) | - | All lamps / over 1,750 lumens |
| Full cut-off (plains) | - | Lamps over 2,800 lumens |
| Pole height (mountains) | - | 14 feet max |
| Pole height (plains) | - | 20 feet max |
| Holiday lights | - | Exempt, 60-day limit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arvada FAQ
What does fully shielded mean?
The fixture must direct all light downward with no light emitted above the horizontal plane. This prevents glare and sky glow while still providing ground illumination.
Can my neighbor's lights shine into my yard?
Most codes prohibit light trespass onto neighboring properties. Contact Arvada code enforcement if outdoor lights from adjacent properties create a nuisance.
Lakewood FAQ
Do dark-sky rules apply to my home's outdoor lights?
In mountain residential areas, any lamp over about 1,750 lumens must be a full cut-off fixture. Smaller lamps and certain accent lighting are exempt, as are holiday and emergency lights.
Are my existing lights grandfathered?
Luminaires legally installed and operating before September 1, 2002 are exempt for the life of the luminaire, but replacing more than 75% of them triggers compliance.
Compare other topics
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