3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Riverside County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Riverside County Ordinance No. 655 restricts outdoor lighting to protect Palomar Observatory. It defines Zone A (within 15 miles of the observatory) and Zone B (15-45 miles). Many lamp types must be low-pressure sodium or fully shielded, and decorative and certain other lighting must be off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
Within the Mount Palomar light-pollution zones, Riverside County Ordinance No. 655 limits spill light by requiring fixtures to be fully or partially shielded so light is directed downward. "Fully shielded" means all light is projected below the horizontal; "partially shielded" means at least 90% is. Curfews further limit late-night lighting.
Riverside County Ord. 655 protects Mt. Palomar Observatory through one of the strongest dark-sky lighting laws in the United States, restricting outdoor lighting type, intensity, and curfews across western Riverside County.
6 cities in Riverside County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
2 verified rules β’ Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules β’ Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules β’ Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules β’ Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules β’ Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules β’ Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
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Riverside County Ordinance Hub β