Dark Sky Rules: Fremont vs San Leandro
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Fremont, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Fremont and San Leandro have similar restriction levels.
Fremont, CA
Alameda County
Fremont requires shielded outdoor lighting under zoning standards, with stricter full-cutoff requirements in the Hillside Combining District to protect night skies.
View full Fremont rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro zoning code requires shielded outdoor lighting in residential zones. No formal Dark Sky ordinance but spill/glare onto neighbors prohibited.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fremont | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Shielding | Required | Required residential |
| Commercial | Full-cutoff IESNA | - |
| Hillside | Dark sky standards | - |
| Residential Exempt | Under 1,000 lumens | - |
| Contact | (510) 494-4455 | - |
| Design review | - | Commercial/MFR |
| Property line | - | ~0.5 fc max |
| IDA ordinance | - | None formal |
| Security light | - | Motion/timer preferred |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fremont FAQ
Can I install bright security floodlights?
Yes, but fixtures must be shielded and aimed at your own property, not onto neighbors or the street.
Are string lights allowed in my backyard?
Yes, decorative low-lumen lights are exempt; keep intensity modest to avoid light trespass complaints.
San Leandro FAQ
Is my floodlight legal?
Yes if shielded and not shining onto neighbors. Bare bulb glare may trigger a nuisance complaint.
Are commercial lots required to turn off lights at night?
Not blanket, but dark sky principles in design review often require lighting curfews or dimming.
Compare other topics
See how Fremont and San Leandro compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool