Outdoor Lighting in Onslow County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Onslow County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Outdoor lighting is optional in unincorporated Onslow County, but once installed for anything other than a single-family or two-family home, Section 10.5 requires it to be downward-facing, shielded away from the airport and Camp Lejeune flight paths, and, in parking lots, full cut-off fixtures capped at 30 feet.

Onslow County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Standards

Some Restrictions

Onslow County Code of Ordinances § 10.5

A. APPLICABILITY 1. Outdoor lighting is optional. 2. When outdoor lighting is proposed, the following standards shall apply for purposes other than single-family or two-family residences. B. SHIELDING REQUIRED ... 2. All outdoor lighting shall be downward facing, and/or arranged or shielded as to: a. Not cast light above an imaginary line drawn at the top of the sign to avoid negatively impacti...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Section 10.5(B)(1) of the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance makes shielding mandatory for any nonresidential outdoor light that could glare onto a neighbor: fixtures must be arranged so they don't trespass onto adjacent properties, adjacent streets, or otherwise create a nuisance or safety hazard.

Onslow County Light Trespass Shielding Rule

Some Restrictions

Onslow County Code of Ordinances § 10.5(B)(1)

B. SHIELDING REQUIRED 1. All outdoor lighting shall be shielded to prevent glare from trespassing onto adjacent properties, adjacent streets, or otherwise create a nuisance or safety hazard.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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