Outdoor Lighting in Richland County, SC (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Richland County, South Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Yes. Unincorporated Richland County has genuine dark-sky lighting standards. All new development must use full-cutoff certified luminaires aimed downward to minimize light pollution, glare, and trespass. High-pressure sodium and mercury-vapor lamps are banned, and search/laser lights are prohibited except in emergencies.

Dark-Sky / Outdoor Lighting Standards in Unincorporated Richland County

Some Restrictions

Richland County LDC Sec. 26-177(a)-(b)

It is the intent of this section to achieve several purposes with respect to lighting in Richland County. Among these purposes are: to minimize light pollution, glare, and light trespass; to conserve energy and resources while maintaining night-time safety and utility; and to curtail the degradation of the night-time visual environment. ... All luminaires shall be full-cutoff certified. ... The...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Unincorporated Richland County caps light spilling onto neighboring property. Illumination at a property line may not exceed 0.1 horizontal or 0.1 vertical foot-candles (outdoor retail up to an average of 2.5). Luminaires must be full-cutoff, downward-aimed, and fitted with visors to control off-site spill and glare.

Light Trespass Limits in Unincorporated Richland County

Some Restrictions

Richland County LDC Sec. 26-177(b)(1)

Illumination from any luminaire at property lines shall not exceed .1 horizontal or .1 vertical foot-candles; provided, however, outdoor retail uses shall not exceed an average of 2.5 horizontal and/or vertical foot-candles. ... All luminaires shall have internal visors/panels or external visors that control offsite light spill and glare.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Lighting by City in Richland County

1 cities in Richland County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

ColumbiaPop. 136,632

3 verified rules • Billboard Lighting, Dark Sky Rules

All Richland County ordinances

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