Dark Sky Rules: Oakley vs San Ramon
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Oakley, CA and San Ramon, CA?
Oakley and San Ramon have similar restriction levels.
Oakley, CA
Contra Costa County
Oakley regulates outdoor lighting to prevent glare, light trespass, and sky glow. Exterior light fixtures generally must be fully shielded (full-cutoff), and light should not spill onto adjacent properties beyond specified foot-candle limits at property lines. New development lighting plans are reviewed through the design review process.
View full Oakley rules →San Ramon, CA
Contra Costa County
San Ramon regulates outdoor lighting through its Development Code (Title D) to reduce light pollution, glare, and spillover onto adjacent properties. Requirements include shielded fixtures, downward-directed light, and limits on lumens and color temperature (typically 3000K or below preferred). The city is not a formal IDA Dark Sky community but incorporates dark-sky principles in design review for new development, especially near open space preserves (Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve, Las Trampas).
View full San Ramon rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Oakley | San Ramon |
|---|---|---|
| Fact | Full-cutoff shielded fixtures required | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Oakley FAQ
Can I have a bright floodlight in my backyard?
It must be shielded so the bulb is not visible from neighbor's yards and not spill significant light onto adjacent properties. Motion-activated security lights are favored over constant-on.
Are holiday lights allowed?
Yes. Seasonal decorative lighting is generally exempt between specified dates (typically Nov 1 – Jan 15) from intensity and cutoff requirements.
What about solar garden lights?
Low-intensity solar path lighting is generally exempt from the shielding requirements because of their low lumen output.
San Ramon FAQ
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