Dark Sky Rules: Rancho Cucamonga vs San Bernardino
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Rancho Cucamonga, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Rancho Cucamonga | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | RCMC 17.58 | - |
| Fixture type | Full-cutoff shielded | - |
| Color temperature | 3000K or lower | - |
| Boundary limit | 0.5 foot-candles | - |
| Contact | (909) 477-2750 | - |
| 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.
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.
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.
Compare other topics
See how Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino 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