Outdoor Lighting in Riverside County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Riverside County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Riverside County requires all outdoor light fixtures in unincorporated areas to be shielded so no direct light crosses the property line, with luminaires banned from blinking, flashing, or rotating under Chapter 8.80.

Riverside County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 8.80.050

All outdoor luminaires in shall be located, adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the parcel of origin, or onto the public right-of-way. Outdoor luminaires shall not blink, flash, or rotate.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Riverside County requires every outdoor luminaire in the unincorporated area to be adequately shielded and aimed so no direct light crosses the property line or spills onto the public right-of-way.

Riverside County Outdoor Light Shielding Rules

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 8.80.050

All outdoor luminaires in shall be located, adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the parcel of origin, or onto the public right-of-way. Outdoor luminaires shall not blink, flash, or rotate.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

An illuminated billboard in unincorporated Riverside County must be built so that no light bulb, tube, filament or similar light source is visible beyond the display face, and it cannot flash, move or vary in intensity to simulate motion. County Code Section 17.252.030(B)(13) adds a stricter layer inside the Palomar Observatory special lighting area, requiring compliance with County Ordinance No. 655's dark-sky rules.

Riverside County Billboard Lighting Standards

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.252.030(B)(13)

13.Lighting and Illumination of Displays. An outdoor advertising display may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified; provided, that the displays are so constructed that no light bulb, tube, filament, or similar source of illumination is visible beyond the display face. Displays making use of lights to convey the effect of movement or flashing, intermittent or variable intensity shall not be...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗