Glenn County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated dark-sky ordinance?
- No - glare performance standard instead
- Code section
- Glenn County Code Sec. 15.560.080 (Glare and Heat)
- Shielding standard
- Exterior lighting must be hooded, shielded or opaque
- Light trespass rule
- No unobstructed beam beyond an exterior lot line
- Construction exemption
- Buildings/structures under construction exempt
- Sign lighting
- No glare on other properties (Sec. 15.620.060(C)(6))
Summary
Glenn County does not have a dedicated 'dark sky' lighting ordinance, but Section 15.560.080 of the Unified Development Code (Performance Standards) requires all exterior lighting accessory to any use to be hooded, shielded or opaque, and bars any unobstructed beam of light from being directed beyond an exterior lot line.
All exterior lighting accessory to any use shall be hooded, shielded or opaque. No unobstructed beam of light shall be directed beyond any exterior lot line. Buildings and structures under construction are exempt from this provision.
Full Breakdown
Glenn County's Unified Development Code does not adopt a formal International Dark-Sky Association-style lighting ordinance, but it imposes a glare-control performance standard that functions as the county's outdoor-lighting rule. 560 (Performance Standards), provides: 'All exterior lighting accessory to any use shall be hooded, shielded or opaque. No unobstructed beam of light shall be directed beyond any exterior lot line. ' The same section also limits heat, stating no use shall generate measurable increased ambient or radiant heat at an exterior lot line. 020(B)). 060(C)(6) requires sign lighting to be arranged so as not to produce glare on other properties and so the light source is not visible from adjacent property or a public street.
030(C)). Because there is no county-specific footcandle or lumen cap or color-temperature standard, the controlling requirement is full shielding and keeping light beams on your own property; questions should be directed to Glenn County Planning & Community Development Services.
Violations & Fines
Installing exterior lighting that is not hooded, shielded or opaque, or that directs an unobstructed beam of light beyond your exterior lot line, violates Section 15.560.080 of the Glenn County Unified Development Code. Sign lighting that produces glare on other properties violates Section 15.620.060(C)(6). The Code Enforcement division may require correction of non-compliant lighting and abate it as a nuisance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unincorporated Glenn County have a dark sky lighting ordinance?
Can my outdoor lights shine onto a neighbor's property in Glenn County?
Are there rules about glare from lighted signs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glenn County
California rules heatmap·Compare Glenn County to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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