Dark Sky Rules: Salt Lake City vs West Valley City
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Salt Lake City, UT and West Valley City, UT?
West Valley City has fewer restrictions than Salt Lake City.
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 →West Valley City, UT
Salt Lake County
West Valley City does not have a formal dark-sky ordinance but its zoning code requires outdoor lighting to be shielded and directed away from neighboring properties.
View full West Valley City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Salt Lake City | West Valley City |
|---|---|---|
| Fact | Full-cutoff fixtures required | No formal dark-sky ordinance |
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.
West Valley City FAQ
Can I install floodlights on my house?
Yes if they do not create a nuisance to neighbors.
Are streetlights shielded?
City uses downward-directed LED streetlights in recent installations.
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