Dark Sky Rules: Salt Lake City vs South Jordan
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Salt Lake City, UT and South Jordan, UT?
Salt Lake City and South Jordan have similar restriction levels.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake County
SLC lighting ordinance (21A.36.290) requires full-cutoff fixtures and lumen caps to reduce light pollution.
View full Salt Lake City rules →South Jordan, UT
Salt Lake County
South Jordan has outdoor lighting standards in its zoning code requiring full-cutoff fixtures, shielding, and limits on trespass. Utah has no statewide dark-sky law, but many Utah cities have adopted lighting ordinances to reduce light pollution.
View full South Jordan rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Salt Lake City | South Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Fact | Full-cutoff fixtures required | - |
| Statewide law | - | None — local only |
| Fixture type | - | Full-cutoff / shielded typical |
| Property-line illuminance | - | 0.1–0.5 fc typical |
| Holiday lights | - | Typically exempt in season |
| Enforcement | - | Code Enforcement |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Salt Lake City FAQ
Are string lights for my patio allowed?
Low-lumen decorative lighting is permitted; avoid aiming upward or toward neighbors.
What about security floodlights?
Must be shielded and full-cutoff; motion-activated preferred.
South Jordan FAQ
Can I have a bright security floodlight?
Yes, but it must be shielded and aimed downward so light does not trespass onto neighbors.
Are holiday lights regulated?
Generally exempt during a defined holiday season; leaving them year-round may violate code.
Is South Jordan a dark-sky city?
No formal designation, but the zoning code follows many dark-sky best practices.
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