Centennial, CO Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

It is the purpose of this Division to define practical and effective measures by which the obtrusive aspects of excessive and/or careless outdoor light usage can be minimized, while preserving safety, security, and nighttime use and enjoyment of property. These measures will help to curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment by encouraging lighting practices that direct appropriate amounts of light where needed, decrease the waste of energy associated with exterior lighting, help reduce glare associated with the use of poorly shielded or inappropriately aimed lighting fixtures, and reduce the contribution to light pollution from exterior lighting.B.Exterior Lighting Standards. The exterior lighting standards designate illuminance, uniformity and spill light criteria for properties based upon the Lighting Zone (LZ) in which the property is located. In addition to criteria based upon Lighting Zone, the exterior lighting standards include restrictions on connected load, lamps, lighting equipment, mounting conditions and hours of operation, as well as submittal requirements to demonstrate compliance. An alternate submittal and approval process is provided for a lighting submittal which meets the intent of these restrictions but which may be in violation of specific regulations in this Division.