Alamance County, NC Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Class I-III heavy industrial uses only
- Fixture rule
- IDA-approved shielding encouraged, not required
- Permit
- Intent-to-Construct Industrial Development Permit
- Application fee
- $350, plus $50 renewal (Appendix G)
- Exempt uses
- Agricultural and residential land uses
- Enforcing agency
- Alamance County Planning Department
Summary
Alamance County's Unified Development Ordinance encourages, but does not require, International Dark Sky Association-approved shielded light fixtures on heavy industrial sites. UDO Section 6.5.3(K) frames dark-sky fixtures as a way to cut monthly energy costs and limit light pollution on neighboring land, but applies only to Class I-III regulated industrial uses under county permit review, not a countywide mandate.
Applicants are encouraged to use light shielding and fixtures that are approved by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) as these fixtures conserve energy, reduce monthly costs, and minimize the impact of light pollution on surrounding properties.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
1). 2: Class I is fuel bulk storage, ready-mix concrete suppliers, inert debris landfills and renewable energy generating facilities; Class II is resource extraction, automobile salvage and chemical manufacturing; Class III is mining/quarrying, race tracks, asphalt plants, electricity generating facilities, non-inert landfills, paper mills, cement manufacturing, waste facilities, saw mills and metal recycling. 2(b). 4, with a public hearing before the Planning Board; the Class I-III application fee is $350 with a $50 renewal fee (Appendix G). The site plan required for that permit, Appendix E, must include 'an exterior lighting plan showing locations of all lighting and proposed lighting fixtures,' giving the Planning Department the documentation to check whether IDA-style shielding was used.
8, Solar Energy Systems Standards, showing the county treats dark-sky shielding as an industrial-use encouragement, not a general development standard reaching homes, retail, or office construction anywhere in the county.
Violations & Fines
There is no fine tied to skipping IDA-style fixtures because Section 6.5.3(K) only 'encourages' their use. The teeth are procedural: the Planning Director can require additional lighting information during Intent-to-Construct permit review, and 'failure to submit any additional information required by the Planning Director shall result in the denial or revocation of an Operations Permit' under Section 6.5.3(L), stopping the industrial use entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alamance County require dark-sky lighting fixtures?
Which projects does the encouragement cover?
How does the county check for shielded fixtures?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alamance County
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