Outdoor Lighting in Pierce County, WA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
New residential, civic, commercial and industrial development in unincorporated Pierce County must shield exterior lighting under PCC 18J.15.085. Fixtures must hide the bulb, use opaque housings, stay at or under 3000 Kelvin, and cannot flash, change color, or use laser or uplighting effects that spill light beyond the site.
Pierce County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsPierce County Code 18J.15.085
A. Applicability. The provisions of the Section apply to: 1. New residential developments, civic, commercial, and industrial uses... B. Exemptions. [Reserved] ... D. Standards – Exterior Illumination. 1. Light sources (light bulb) shall be hidden from public view, except for streetlights and holiday decorator lights... 6. Pole lights shall be no taller than 35 feet above a 36-inch base in parki...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Pierce County's exterior illumination standards in PCC 18J.15.085 require lighting to avoid glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties, keeping illumination on the premises it is intended to light.
Pierce County Light Trespass Rules
Some RestrictionsPierce County Code 18J.15.085
Exterior lighting shall be designed to prevent light trespass into the sky and adjacent properties through methods that may include, but are not limited to, light shielding, downward directional lighting, or specialized fixture optics.
Billboard Lighting
Pierce County bans flashing, intermittent or moving billboard lights outright under PCC 18A.55.010.E. Any other billboard lighting must be shielded so no beam or ray hits the traveled way, or dim enough to avoid glare, and the Pierce County Building Official can order a sign dimmed if it is found too bright.
Pierce County Billboard Lighting Restrictions
Some RestrictionsPCC 18A.55.010.E
E. Lighting. Billboards shall not be erected or maintained which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights. Billboards shall not include lighting unless it is so effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of the highway or is of such low intensity or brilliance as not to ca...
Outdoor Lighting by City in Pierce County
2 cities in Pierce County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Pierce County ordinances
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