Beaumont, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Chapter 8.50 states its purpose in § 8.50.010: reduce light pollution from residential, commercial and industrial fixtures, protect the enjoyment of the night sky, cut unnecessary illumination of adjacent properties, correct glare and light trespass, and reduce energy use. Section 8.50.030 creates three Lighting Zones: Residential (areas zoned exclusively residential), Commercial Industrial (areas zoned exclusively commercial and industrial) and Special Use (land uses that need accurate color rendition).

The shielding classes are defined in § 8.50.020. A fully shielded fixture emits light only below a horizontal plane through its lowest point. A shielded fixture emits less than two percent of its light above that plane, a partly shielded fixture less than ten percent, and an unshielded fixture ten percent or more.

In the Residential Lighting Zone, § 8.50.060 allows fully shielded fixtures up to 2,250 lumens and shielded fixtures up to 825 lumens. No partly shielded fixture is permitted, and unshielded fixtures are limited to low voltage landscaping lighting of 24 volts or less. Fixtures must be permanently installed to keep their shielding. Pole-mounted lights cannot exceed 40 percent of the distance from the pole to the property line, up to 16 feet, and lighting attached to a single family residence cannot exceed the roof eave. Total lamp power is the lot area in square feet multiplied by 0.03 watts.

In the Commercial/Industrial Zone, § 8.50.070 allows 60,000 lumens for fully shielded, 1,500 for shielded and 825 for partly shielded fixtures, a 20-foot pole cap and 0.05 watts per square foot. Lighting must be turned off or reduced by at least 50 percent from 10:00 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later, until dawn or the start of business, on photocell and timer controls.

Section 8.50.040 bans aerial lasers, search light style lights, mercury vapor, low-pressure sodium and flashing lights in every zone unless a special event permit or Conditional Use Permit applies. City street lights need Dark Sky approval (§ 8.50.090.2), and the Public Works Director must approve substitutions so nothing lights above 90 degrees (§ 8.50.090.12).