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Riverside County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Verified 1 week ago|Source: Riverside County Ordinance 655 →

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Key Facts

Ordinance: Ord. 655
Zone A radius: 15 miles
Zone B radius: 45 miles
Curfew: 11pm in Zone A

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Summary

Riverside County Ord. 655 protects Mt. Palomar Observatory through one of the strongest dark-sky lighting laws in the United States, restricting outdoor lighting type, intensity, and curfews across western Riverside County.

Full Breakdown

Ord. 655 establishes Zones A and B around Mt. Palomar Observatory, governing properties within 15 and 45 miles respectively. The ordinance limits outdoor lighting to fully shielded fixtures, prohibits new mercury vapor and most metal halide installations, and requires low-pressure sodium or filtered LED for many uses. Commercial and digital signs face strict lumen caps and 11 p.m. curfews in Zone A. Communities such as Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, and unincorporated areas comply countywide alongside San Diego County's matching ordinance, jointly preserving research conditions for Caltech's observatory.

Violations & Fines

Code Compliance issues correction notices and administrative citations; unshielded billboards and noncompliant LED conversions must be replaced or retrofitted with proper optics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ord. 655 apply to my home?

Yes, single-family lighting must be fully shielded and low-glare; porch and security fixtures should aim downward to comply.

Are holiday lights allowed?

Seasonal decorative lighting is generally permitted between November 1 and January 15, but must avoid spillover and excessive brightness.

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Riverside County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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