Outdoor Lighting in Orange County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in Orange County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Light Trespass & Shielding

Unincorporated Orange County's zoning code requires all outdoor lighting to be designed and located so it confines direct rays to the property where it's installed, a light-trespass rule enforced under the Zoning Code with misdemeanor penalties for violations.

Orange County Outdoor Lighting Must Stay On-Site

Some Restrictions

Orange County Codified Ordinances § 7-9-67

All lighting shall be designed and located so as to confine direct rays to the premises.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Unincorporated Orange County limits how bright and where billboard lighting can shine: direct light rays must stay on-site, and signs facing homes within 100 feet can't be lit at all.

Orange County Billboard Sign Lighting Limits

Significant Restrictions

Orange County Codified Ordinances § 7-9-114.4

Illumination. The illumination of signs, from either an internal or external source, shall be designed to avoid negative impacts on surrounding rights-of-way and properties. The following standards apply to all illuminated signs: Light Intensity. Lighted and illuminated signs shall be designed and installed so that direct light rays shall be confined to the site. Sign lighting shall not be of a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗