Adams County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but its operational standards require exterior lighting to be shielded, low-level, indirect and diffused, and no taller than 20 feet, positioned so no direct light or glare reflects onto neighboring property or roads.
Under the Development Standards and Regulations (Sec. 4-16-01), lighting facilities in every zone district must be arranged so no direct light or reflection creates a nuisance or hazard on adjacent property or a right-of-way, and exterior lighting must be compatible with adjacent properties. All lighting fixtures must be located to shield direct rays from adjoining properties; luminaires must be low-level, indirect, diffused, and no greater than 20 feet above finished grade. Upward architectural or decorative lighting must keep at least 90% of its distribution within the illuminated structure's profile. While not branded a "dark-sky" code, these shielding and downcast requirements serve the same purpose. Incorporated cities set their own lighting codes.
Lighting that creates glare or a nuisance on neighboring property can be cited as an operational-standards violation and ordered corrected by the county.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Adams County, CO
Neglecting, abandoning or mistreating animals is unlawful in Adams County under its Animal Control Code and Colorado's cruelty statute. Officers may impound ...
Adams County, CO
Intentionally feeding big-game wildlife (deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain lions, bears and others) is illegal statewide in Colorado, carrying a $100 fine. Adam...
Adams County, CO
Adams County does not prohibit residential backyard composting. There is no county permit for a home compost pile in unincorporated areas, but a poorly kept ...
Adams County, CO
Adams County has no countywide ordinance banning or specifically regulating artificial turf on private residential yards in unincorporated areas. Homeowners ...
Adams County, CO
Adams County does not prohibit or mandate native plants for private residential yards. County landscape standards encourage preserving existing valuable vege...
Adams County, CO
Colorado law lets Adams County residents collect rooftop rainwater in up to two rain barrels with a combined capacity of 110 gallons. It is limited to single...
See how Adams County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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