Cedar Rapids, IA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front/side wall packs
- full cutoff required (non-industrial)
- Aimed at residential use
- full cutoff required, any district
- Standard
- no light above horizontal plane
Summary
Cedar Rapids requires full cutoff wall-pack fixtures on a building's front or side elevation outside industrial districts, and on any wall pack aimed toward a residential district or use, regardless of zone.
a. Except in industrial districts, wall pack outdoor light fixtures located on a front or side elevations of a building or structure shall be full cutoff. b. In all urban form, mixed-use, or industrial districts, wall pack outdoor light fixtures oriented toward a residential district or use shall be full cutoff. c. Low intensity (i.e., 100 watts or less), architectural style wall pack outdoor light fixtures (which may be cutoff, semi cutoff or non cutoff) may be used to accent architectural elements of the building or structure or to illuminate entrance areas. H. Use-Type Specific Lighting 1. Residential Districts and Uses a. Except for motion-activated security lighting and floodlighting permitted by this section, all lamps and bulbs more than 600 lumens that are located in residential districts shall be within a fully shielded fixture or must be within a light fixture where the
As of Ordinance #004-26
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24).
Full Breakdown
The zoning code's fixture-design standards mandate full cutoff shielding, no light emitted above horizontal, for wall pack outdoor light fixtures. Except in industrial districts, any wall pack mounted on a building's front or side elevation must be full cutoff. Separately, in every urban form, mixed-use, or industrial district, a wall pack fixture oriented toward a residential district or use must also be full cutoff, cutting off the uplight and glare that dark-sky standards target.
Violations & Fines
Wall pack fixtures reviewed during the lighting-plan submittal that lack full cutoff shielding where required, front/side elevations outside industrial zones, or any fixture aimed at residential uses, can be rejected or ordered replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wall pack lights banned in Cedar Rapids?
Does this apply in industrial zones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Rapids
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