Dark Sky Rules: Ontario vs San Bernardino
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Ontario, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Ontario and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario regulates outdoor lighting under OMC Chapter 9, requiring shielded fixtures and color temperature limits to reduce glare toward homes and aircraft paths at ONT International Airport.
View full Ontario 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 | Ontario | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Fixture type | Full-cutoff shielded | - |
| CCT limit | 3000K | - |
| Curfew dim | 50% after 11 PM (industrial) | - |
| Airport | ALUCP lighting restrictions | - |
| 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.
Ontario FAQ
Can I install a bright driveway floodlight?
Yes, if the fixture is shielded and light does not trespass past your property line onto a neighbor.
Does Ontario have a true dark-sky ordinance?
Ontario does not have an IDA-level dark-sky law, but airport overlay zones and zoning shielding rules provide similar outcomes.
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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