Dark Sky Rules: Chino vs San Bernardino
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Chino, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
San Bernardino has fewer restrictions than Chino.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Development Code Section 83.07.040 and the 2022 Light Trespass Ordinance impose dark-sky standards in the Mountain and Desert Regions: fully shielded fixtures, a 0.1 foot-candle light-trespass limit, 3,000 Kelvin maximum color temperature, residential poles capped at 12 feet, and lights extinguished when no people are present (and by 11 p.m.).
View full Chino rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino Development Code requires shielded, downward-directed outdoor lighting to minimize glare and light pollution. Mountain-area overlays near Crestline and Lake Arrowhead follow stricter dark-sky standards.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Light-trespass limit | 0.1 foot-candle (Mountain & Desert) | - |
| Color temperature | 3,000 Kelvin maximum (except seasonal) | - |
| Residential pole height | 12 feet maximum | - |
| Shutoff | When no one is present; by 11 p.m. | - |
| Recreation curfew | Private off 11 p.m.-sunrise; public off by 11 p.m. | - |
| Effective date | January 6, 2022 (Light Trespass Ordinance) | - |
| Fixture Standard | - | Fully shielded, downward |
| Commercial Max | - | Typical 4.0 footcandles |
| Color Temp Cap | - | 3000 K typical |
| Mountain Overlay | - | 2700 K full cut-off |
| Sign Hours | - | Business hours plus 1 hour |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
What outdoor lighting is allowed in the mountain and desert areas of San Bernardino County?
Fixtures must be fully shielded, stay at or below 0.1 foot-candle of light trespass, and use 3,000 Kelvin or lower color temperature. Residential poles are capped at 12 feet, and lights must be off when no one is present, per Section 83.07.040 and the 2022 Light Trespass Ordinance.
When must outdoor recreation lights be turned off?
Section 83.07.040(c) prohibits illuminating private recreation facilities between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, and public facilities only while in use, with lights off no later than 11:00 p.m. or one hour after the event ends, whichever is later.
San Bernardino FAQ
Can I install a bright backyard flood light in San Bernardino?
Residential flood lights must be shielded to prevent direct glare onto neighbors or streets. Consider motion-activated fixtures with warm color temperature (under 3000 K) and aiming the beam downward at 45 degrees or steeper.
Does San Bernardino have dark-sky protections like Lake Arrowhead?
City outdoor lighting rules are less strict than the mountain overlays in Crestline and Lake Arrowhead, but commercial lighting in San Bernardino is still required to be shielded and downward-directed. Dark-sky overlays apply mainly to the mountain communities.
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