Beaumont, CA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Section 8.50.040 of the Beaumont Municipal Code is the citywide prohibited-lighting list, and billboard lighting is on it. The following are prohibited in all Lighting Zones, except by special event permit or Conditional Use Permit: aerial lasers, search light style lights, mercury vapor lights, flashing lights (other than temporary holiday decorations), low-pressure sodium fixtures, fixtures mounted to illuminate a wall, building facade, roof or awning or aimed only towards a property line, fixtures that interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle as determined by the Police Chief or City Engineer, and billboard lighting that is pointed up. Under § 8.50.030, the three Lighting Zones are Residential, Commercial Industrial and Special Use.

Outdoor advertising displays are named in § 8.50.080.1 as one of the specific land uses in the Special Use Lighting Zone, where the space requires colors to be rendered as accurately as possible. Lighting there needs a Minor Plot Plan from the Planning Director, on written application and payment of an administrative fee. The applicant has to demonstrate that the installation is not within the Residential Lighting Zone, uses fully-shielded, side shielded and internally-shielded fixtures to the maximum extent practicable, and includes measures to mitigate light trespass and artificial sky glow (§ 8.50.080.2). Special Use lighting is subject to the same curfew as commercial lighting: turned off or reduced by at least 50 percent beginning at 10:00 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later, until dawn or the start of business, with photocell on and timer off controls (§ 8.50.080.3).

Internally illuminated signs with dark backgrounds and light lettering, chosen to minimize glare, are exempt from the chapter under § 8.50.050.6, and neon is exempt under § 8.50.050.2. Electronic billboards face their own operating criteria in § 8.50.070.7, including a brightness limit of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light and a required light sensing device.