Dark Sky Rules: Rancho Cucamonga vs Rialto
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Rialto, CA?
Rancho Cucamonga has fewer restrictions than Rialto.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
San Bernardino County
Rancho Cucamonga Development Code Section 17.58 requires shielded, full-cutoff outdoor lighting to minimize glare and skyglow. New installations must direct light downward onto the subject property.
View full Rancho Cucamonga rules →Rialto, 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 Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rancho Cucamonga | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | RCMC 17.58 | - |
| Fixture type | Full-cutoff shielded | - |
| Color temperature | 3000K or lower | 3,000 Kelvin maximum (except seasonal) |
| Boundary limit | 0.5 foot-candles | - |
| Contact | (909) 477-2750 | - |
| Light-trespass limit | - | 0.1 foot-candle (Mountain & Desert) |
| 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) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rancho Cucamonga FAQ
Can I install a standard floodlight above my garage?
Only if it is fully shielded and directs light downward; unshielded floodlights typically violate the ordinance.
Are holiday lights subject to the dark sky rules?
Temporary holiday lighting is exempt between November 1 and January 15 each year.
Rialto 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.
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