Outdoor Lighting in Arapahoe County, CO (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Arapahoe County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

In unincorporated Arapahoe County, any outdoor light fixture emitting more than 900 lumens must be fully shielded from view of neighboring properties and public rights-of-way under the Land Development Code's lighting standards. Fixtures must meet IESNA full cut-off mounting standards, checked before final building-permit inspection.

Arapahoe County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules

Some Restrictions

Arapahoe County Land Development Code § 4-1.6.C.1

The illumination from a lamp that emits more than 900 lumens shall be fully shielded from view from adjacent properties and public right-of-ways, except as otherwise permitted herein. Fixtures shall meet the IES standards for fully shielding, full cut-off and mounting of fixtures.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Arapahoe County limits how much light can spill onto a neighboring lot: measured at the property line, 5.5 feet above grade, aimed in a direct line of sight to the brightest fixture visible from that point, illuminance cannot exceed 0.3 foot-candles where the adjoining land is non-residential or 0.1 foot-candles where it is residential. PWD staff can require a line-of-sight analysis, and the Planning Division Manager may waive the standard if no residential use abuts the site.

Arapahoe County Light Trespass Limit

Some Restrictions

Arapahoe County Land Development Code § 4-1.6.3.c

PWD staff may request an analysis of line-of-sight on a case-by-case basis dependent on site conditions. The maximum initial line-of-sight illuminance is measured at the property line, measured five and one-half feet above grade aimed in a direct line of sight to the brightest light fixture visible from such point, shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles for non-residential or 0.1 foot candles on res...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Lighting by City in Arapahoe County

2 cities in Arapahoe County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

AuroraPop. 386,261

3 verified rules • Billboard Lighting, Dark Sky Rules

CentennialPop. 108,418

2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding

All Arapahoe County ordinances

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