Outdoor Lighting in Sonoma County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Sonoma County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

In the Taylor/Sonoma/Mayacamas Mountains scenic combining zone, exterior lighting on new homes and structures must be downward-facing, fully shielded, capped at 1,000 lumens per fixture, and limited to 1.0 lux beyond the property line.

Sonoma County Dark-Sky Lighting Rules

Some Restrictions

Sonoma County Code § 26-90-120(c)(2)(d)

Exterior lighting shall be downward facing, fully shielded, and located at the lowest possible point to the ground to prevent glare and light pollution. Light fixtures shall not be located at the periphery of the property and shall not spill over onto adjacent properties or into the night sky. Luminaires shall have a maximum output of 1000 lumens per fixture. Total illuminance beyond the proper...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Sonoma County caps exterior lighting only within the Taylor/Sonoma/Mayacamas Mountains scenic combining zone: fixtures must be shielded, downward-facing, capped at 1,000 lumens, and limited to 1.0 lux at the property line under Sec. 26-90-120(c)(2)(d), there is no countywide lighting ordinance.

Sonoma County Scenic Zone Lighting Standards

Some Restrictions

Sonoma County Code § 26-90-120(c)(2)(d)

Exterior lighting shall be downward facing, fully shielded, and located at the lowest possible point to the ground to prevent glare and light pollution. Light fixtures shall not be located at the periphery of the property and shall not spill over onto adjacent properties or into the night sky. Luminaires shall have a maximum output of 1000 lumens per fixture. Total illuminance beyond the proper...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Lighting by City in Sonoma County

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

Santa RosaPop. 178,127

2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding

PetalumaPop. 59,776

3 verified rules • Billboard Lighting, Dark Sky Rules

All Sonoma County ordinances

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Sonoma County Ordinance Hub →