Outdoor Lighting in Cass County, MO (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Cass County, Missouri.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

New off-street parking and loading areas in unincorporated Cass County must use minimal lighting that avoids a negative light-pollution impact on adjacent residential property, with fixtures directed away from residential uses, under the Zoning Order's parking design standards.

Cass County Curbs Light Pollution From New Parking Lots

Light Restrictions

Cass County Code § 400.680

Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking and loading areas shall be minimal and not create a negative light pollution impact on any adjacent residential properties and be directed away from the residential use. Lighting installed as part of new construction shall not create light pollution on adjacent residentially designated areas.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

In unincorporated Cass County, off-street parking and loading area lighting must stay minimal and cannot cast light pollution onto adjacent residential properties. Cass County Code § 400.680(A)(8) requires fixtures to be directed away from nearby residential uses, a standard the Planning and Zoning Department applies when it reviews parking lot lighting plans submitted with a zoning action.

Cass County Parking Lot Light Trespass Rule

Some Restrictions

Cass County Code § 400.680(A)(8)

Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking and loading areas shall be minimal and not create a negative light pollution impact on any adjacent residential properties and be directed away from the residential use. Lighting installed as part of new construction shall not create light pollution on adjacent residentially designated areas.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Billboard illumination in unincorporated Cass County is capped at 20 foot-candles measured at the sign face. Section 400.800(C)(6)(c) requires external light sources to be shielded and aimed at the billboard only, and bars any glare that could reach the highway travel lane, spill onto adjacent property, or impair a driver's vision.

Cass County Billboard Lighting Foot-Candle Cap

Some Restrictions

Cass County Code § 400.800(C)(6)(c)

Billboards may be lighted by external lighting, provided the light source is directed upon the face of the billboard and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the main traveled way of the highway or into any portion of adjacent properties, the lights are limited to twenty (20) foot-candles at the face of the sign, and not of an i...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Cass County ordinances

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