Anchorage, AK Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Exterior site and building wall lighting shall be designed and located to direct light toward the ground, to minimize glare or light trespass onto adjacent properties or light pollution in the valley. The light source shall not be visible at the property line, provided, however, light fixtures for walkways may have a visible light source if diffused by a translucent cover, such as frosted glass. Upward-directed exterior lighting is prohibited, unless the light beam is directed only toward, and is contained within, the mass of the ceiling, wall, tree or other feature to be illuminated.

d. Lighting color. Fixtures for area lighting shall use white light sources, such as one of the following, without limitation: Color corrected metal halide, induction, compact fluorescent, incandescent (tungsten-halogen), or high-pressure sodium with a color rendering index (CRI) of 65 or greater. Lights at building entrances, steps, stairs, ramps, driveway crossings and entrances to parking structures or garages may be incandescent. Aesthetic landscaping or building facade lighting is exempt from color restrictions.

e. Parking lot and display lot lighting. Parking lot and display lot lighting fixtures shall be full cut-off fixtures, as defined by the Illumination Engineering Society of North America.

f. Athletic playing fields. The standards set forth in this section shall not apply to lighting of public athletic playing fields.

H. Pedestrian circulation.

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