2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Whatcom County has no dark-sky or color-temperature ordinance. Title 20 zoning only requires exterior lights be arranged to direct light away from neighboring property and public roads. Bellingham's design review mandates shielded fixtures. Cities set their own standards.
Whatcom County zoning requires outdoor lights be arranged to direct light away from adjoining property and public roads. There is no countywide residential foot-candle cap. Bellingham limits light trespass to about one foot-candle at property lines through design review.
WCC 20.80.523
Any parking area which is intended to be used primarily during nondaylight hours shall be properly illuminated to avoid accidents. Any lights used to illuminate a parking lot shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from the adjoining property and the public road.
1 cities in Whatcom County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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