Outdoor Lighting in San Diego County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Unincorporated San Diego County requires new or altered outdoor luminaires needing a building permit to meet shielding, lumen and curfew standards under three dark-sky protection zones near the Palomar and Mount Laguna observatories.

San Diego County Dark-Sky Outdoor Lighting Rules

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 51.202

All outdoor luminaires installed, relocated, reinstalled, substantially altered (to utilize a lamp wattage that exceeds the luminaire rating or with a different lamp other than an LED or CFL retrofit lamp), or located on a structure that requires a building permit shall comply with this chapter. b) All outdoor lighting within Zone C shall comply with the requirements of this chapter within...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Unincorporated San Diego County requires new or altered outdoor luminaires to meet shielding, lumen, and curfew standards under one of three lighting zones set up to protect the Palomar and Mount Laguna observatories from light pollution.

San Diego County Light Pollution Rules

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 51.202

All outdoor luminaires installed, relocated, reinstalled, substantially altered (to utilize a lamp wattage that exceeds the luminaire rating or with a different lamp other than an LED or CFL retrofit lamp), or located on a structure that requires a building permit shall comply with this chapter. b) All outdoor lighting within Zone C shall comply with the requirements of this chapter within...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Unincorporated San Diego County requires billboard and other off-premises sign lighting to be fully shielded, aimed downward, and shut off by midnight under the county's light pollution ordinance.

San Diego County Billboard Lighting Rules

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 51.205

Off-premises signs may remain lighted until midnight; and ... Lighting for on-premises signs shall be shielded where feasible and focused to minimize light spill into the night sky or onto adjacent properties. All lighting for off-premises signs shall be aimed downwards and fully shielded.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗