San Diego County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone B (most of county)
- Class I luminaires must be fully shielded
- Zone A (near observatories)
- Unshielded Class I lighting prohibited
- Curfew
- Class I/III lights off 11pm-sunrise
- Zone C (Julian, Borrego Springs)
- Max 50,000 lumens per acre
- Enforcement
- Planning & Development Services building official
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County requires new or altered outdoor luminaires needing a building permit to meet shielding, lumen and curfew standards under three dark-sky protection zones near the Palomar and Mount Laguna observatories.
All outdoor luminaires installed, relocated, reinstalled, substantially altered (to utilize a lamp wattage that exceeds the luminaire rating or with a different lamp other than an LED or CFL retrofit lamp), or located on a structure that requires a building permit shall comply with this chapter.
b) All outdoor lighting within Zone C shall comply with the requirements of this chapter within 10 years of the date on which it is adopted. Until such compliance, the requirements of the prior Zone A or Zone B shall remain in full force and effect.
c) This ordinance shall not supersede the requirements of any state or federal law. WHERE PROPERTIES ARE WITHIN BOTH ZONE A AND ZONE C, THE PROPERTY SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF ZONE C. (Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
County Code Title 5, Division 1, Chapter 2 ('Light Pollution') covers unincorporated San Diego County. Any outdoor luminaire installed, relocated, or substantially altered on a structure needing a building permit must comply. Unincorporated land is split into three zones: Zone A (within 15 miles of Palomar or Mount Laguna Observatory), Zone C (the Julian and Borrego Springs Community Planning Areas, eligible for International Dark-Sky Community status), and Zone B (everywhere else). Each zone sets its own shielding, maximum-lumen, and curfew rules. Zone A/B require most fixtures fully shielded and Class I/III lighting off between 11 p.m. and sunrise, while Zone C caps total site lumens at 50,000 per acre.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant plans are rejected at building-permit review by Planning & Development Services (SEC. 51.207). Installing a non-conforming luminaire is a code violation under SEC. 11.116: a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 or six months) or a discretionary infraction with escalating fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of San Diego?
What are the dark-sky Zone C communities?
Are holiday lights exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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