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Outdoor Lighting in Thurston County, WA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Thurston County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Thurston County's Village Center Ordinance requires site lighting in the Lacey Urban Growth Area to limit glare and sky glow, banning noncolor-corrected low-pressure sodium and mercury vapor fixtures near residents and roads.

Thurston County Village Center Lighting Rules

Some Restrictions

Thurston County Code § 21.50.070(E)(3)-(4)

Streets and sites shall provide adequate lighting, while minimizing adverse impacts, such as glare and overhead sky glow, on adjacent properties and the public right-of-way.4.Use of minimum wattage metal halide or color-corrected sodium light sources is encouraged. Noncolor corrected low pressure sodium and mercury vapor light sources are prohibited.5.Light fixtures attached to the exterior of ...

Light Trespass & Shielding

Thurston County's zoning code requires any operation that produces intense heat or glare to run inside an enclosure built so the light cannot be seen from any point along the property line. The rule applies to every permitted land use countywide and is enforced by the Community Planning and Economic Development Department.

Thurston County Light Trespass and Glare Rule

Some Restrictions

Thurston County Code § 21.57.040(E)

21.57.040 - Emissions. ... E. Heat and Glare. Any operation producing intense heat or glare shall be performed within an enclosure so as to completely obscure such operation from view from any point along the property line. ... 21.57.080 - Enforcement. A. In the enforcement of this chapter, the department may require the operator or owner of an existing or proposed activity or use or the owner ...

All Thurston County ordinances

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