Outdoor Lighting in La Plata County, CO (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, new development that needs a building permit must use full cut-off fixtures for any outdoor light over 2,000 lumens. Under Land Use Code § 70-7 fixtures mount no higher than 35 feet, point downward and cannot spill across property lines, and nonresidential lights go off after close of business.
La Plata County Outdoor Lighting and Full Cutoff Rules
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 70-7
A. Unless otherwise specified in this section, all outdoor lighting fixtures with an initial output of more than two-thousand (2,000) lumens (equivalent to a twenty-six (26) watt compact fluorescent or one hundred (100) watt standard incandescent lamp type), including road, parking area, security, walkway, and building lighting shall be a full cut-off fixture such as depicted in Figure 70-7. .....
Light Trespass & Shielding
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, Section 70-7 of the County Code says all lighting must be downward directed and must not spill across property lines. It applies to new development that needs a building permit. Inside the Durango joint planning area, Section 72-2 adds a measured cap of 0.8 foot-candles at an adjacent property line.
La Plata County Light Trespass and Spill Rules
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 70-7
I. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide standards for outdoor exterior lighting that assure the safety, utility, and security of development and prevent night lighting from adversely affecting adjacent properties and neighborhoods. II. Applicability. All new development requiring a building permit shall comply with the standards in this section except: ... III. ... General require...
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