Outdoor Lighting in Maricopa County, AZ (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

In unincorporated Maricopa County, most exterior lighting must be fully or partially shielded to control glare and light trespass, and unshielded building, landscape, or sign lighting is banned except for small incandescent or low-pressure sodium fixtures.

Maricopa County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules

Significant Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 812.5

The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building, landscaping, signing or other purpose is prohibited, except with incandescent fixtures of 150 Watts or less, or low pressure sodium luminaires.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Unincorporated Maricopa County requires outdoor light fixtures to be shielded, bans mercury vapor luminaires and unshielded building illumination, and prohibits advertising searchlights between 11 p.m. and sunrise under the zoning ordinance's outdoor light control provisions.

Maricopa County Outdoor Lighting Rules (Unincorporated)

Significant Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 812.5 (Prohibition)

The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building, landscaping, signing or other purpose is prohibited, except with incandescent fixtures of 150 Watts or less, or low pressure sodium luminaires.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Unincorporated Maricopa County limits offsite sign (billboard) lighting to four fully shielded luminaires per sign face at no more than 40,000 lumens each, lit top-down to stop glare and trespass, under MCZO § 812.3.3. Legacy bottom-mounted upward-lit billboards may keep operating only with an automatic 11 p.m.-to-sunrise shutoff until the sign is altered.

Maricopa County Billboard Lighting Rules

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance §§ 812.3.3, 812.7.1-812.7.2

812.3.3. Offsite sign (billboard) external lighting: 1. Lighting shall be installed such that the sign is illuminated from top down to prevent glare and light trespass. 2. Light luminaires shall be fully shielded. 3. Shall consist of no more than four (4) individual luminaires (or lamps) per sign face and produces a maximum of 40,000 lumens per luminaires. ... Article 812.7. Other Exemptions fr...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗