Abilene, TX Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

1 states its purpose as providing adequate, safe outdoor lighting while limiting spillover and glare onto adjacent properties and public streets, promoting traffic safety, conserving energy and preserving the area's dark sky. The standards apply only to new private outdoor lighting fixtures installed after the ordinance's effective date; fixtures legally installed earlier are grandfathered and can be replaced with like fixtures unless the property owner is replacing all similar lighting at once. Before a Certificate of Occupancy issues, a Lighting Plan must be submitted and approved showing how the fixture layout meets these standards, or the site plan must at least note that all lighting will comply.

Subsection (f) sets the core rule: outdoor lighting fixtures must be fully shielded, meaning no light escapes above the horizontal, with an exception only for incandescent fixtures of 150 watts or less or other light sources of 70 watts or less; canopy lighting, such as at gas station overhangs, must always be fully shielded regardless of wattage; and no commercial fixture may be mounted or aimed so its lighting element is visible from a residential property. Flickering or flashing lights are banned outright. Certain fixtures are exempt entirely, including internally illuminated signs, temporary theatrical or performance lighting, pool lighting governed by the National Electrical Code, code-required exit and stair lighting, holiday lighting using bulbs of 10 watts or less, FAA-required aviation lighting, and interior lighting.

Outdoor recreational lighting for ball diamonds, playing fields, driving ranges, tennis courts and parks can be exempted from one or more standards by the Development Review Committee, appealable to the Board of Adjustment.