Dark Sky Rules: Flower Mound vs Lewisville

Flower Mound regulates outdoor lighting through its zoning ordinance and development standards to minimize light pollution and preserve nighttime sky quality in the community. New commercial, multifamily, and subdivision developments must use fully shielded, downward-directed fixtures and submit photometric plans during the development review process. The town's lighting standards address fixture types, maximum mounting heights, footcandle levels at property boundaries, and acceptable glare levels to reduce sky glow across the community. Development adjacent to the Cross Timbers Conservation Development District and other environmentally sensitive natural areas may face additional lighting restrictions imposed during the planned development approval process. These requirements reflect the town's commitment to balancing necessary security and safety lighting with the preservation of the natural character that defines Flower Mound's identity as a community surrounded by preserved open space and conservation corridors.

Lewisville does not have a standalone dark sky ordinance, but outdoor lighting is regulated through zoning standards in the Unified Development Code Chapter 114. Commercial and multifamily developments must use full-cutoff fixtures that direct light downward and minimize upward emission, with light levels at property lines adjacent to residential zones limited to 0.5 foot-candles. Residential exterior lighting is largely unregulated beyond general nuisance provisions in Chapter 42. The city does not mandate International Dark Sky Association-compliant fixtures or enforce specific color temperature limits. HOA communities such as Castle Hills and Valley Vista may regulate exterior lighting through their architectural review standards.