Outdoor Lighting in New Castle County, DE (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Castle County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
New Castle County bans non-cutoff light fixtures and requires full-cutoff, downward-shielded luminaires on new or modified exterior lighting in unincorporated areas, capping illumination near homes at 0.1 footcandle.
New Castle County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 40.22.720
A.Light fixtures, or luminaires, are available in different types including...:1.Non-cutoff fixtures, which are prohibited;2.Semi-cutoff fixtures, which direct the light to partially limit view of the light source; and3.Full cutoff fixtures which shield the light source from view and prevent upward light... B.All luminaire output is to be aimed downward and shall meet Illuminating Engineering S...
Light Trespass & Shielding
New Castle County bans non-cutoff light fixtures, caps illumination near homes at 0.1 footcandle, and requires shielded, downward-aimed LED lighting on new or modified exterior lighting.
New Castle County Outdoor Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 40.22.720
Light fixtures, or luminaires, are available in different types including...Non-cutoff fixtures, which are prohibited...When a non-residential use is adjacent to a residential zoning district or use, the maximum illumination from the non-residential use shall not exceed one-tenth (0.1) foot candle as measured at the residential property line.
Billboard Lighting
New Castle County caps electronic billboard brightness at 7,500 nits by day and 1,000 nits at night, requiring manufacturer certification, password-protected settings, and automatic photocell dimming for every off-premises advertising sign.
New Castle County EVM Billboard Nit Limits
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 40.06.030.B.6.g.vii
Prior to the issuance of a zoning permit, the applicant for an EVM off-premises advertising sign shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set not to exceed seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits and that the intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software. No sign may be brighter than is...
Outdoor Lighting by City in New Castle County
1 cities in New Castle County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Castle County ordinances
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