Dark Sky Rules: Redmond vs Renton
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Redmond, WA and Renton, WA?
Redmond and Renton have similar restriction levels.
Redmond, WA
King County
Redmond requires shielded, downward-directed outdoor lighting in commercial and multifamily projects under RMC Title 21 to limit light pollution and preserve nighttime views near parks.
View full Redmond rules →Renton, WA
King County
Renton Municipal Code 4-4-075 regulates outdoor lighting in commercial and multifamily projects to control glare and light trespass. Full cutoff fixtures are generally required in new non-residential development.
View full Renton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Redmond | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Full-cutoff luminaires required | - |
| Color temp | 3000K-4000K cap | - |
| Residential | Nuisance standard only | - |
| Parks edge | Stricter standards apply | - |
| Code reference | - | RMC 4-4-075 |
| Cutoff required | - | Non-residential and multifamily |
| Pole height limit | - | Typically 20 to 25 feet |
| Trespass limit | - | About 0.5 foot-candles at residential property line |
| Single-family | - | Largely unregulated except nuisance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redmond FAQ
Does Redmond have a dark-sky ordinance?
Redmond's commercial and multifamily lighting rules function as a dark-sky-style standard with shielding and brightness limits.
Are my home porch lights regulated?
Single-family residential lighting is generally unregulated unless it creates a nuisance for neighbors or illegal glare onto streets.
Renton FAQ
Do residential porch lights need to be dark-sky compliant?
Single-family residential lighting is largely unregulated unless it becomes a nuisance to neighbors. Shielded fixtures are encouraged but not mandated.
What qualifies as a full cutoff fixture?
A fixture that emits zero light above the horizontal plane of the lamp, directing all output downward, as defined by IES TM-15.
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