Chino Hills, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

The City of Chino Hills does not have a dedicated 'dark-sky' chapter or numeric outdoor-lighting code in its Development Code. The principal city-wide outdoor-lighting standard is found in the Development Code's performance standards, Chapter 16.48. Section 16.48.040 (Lights) provides that all lights and glare associated with operations and illuminated signs shall be shielded or directed so as to not illuminate adjacent properties or cause glare to motorists. This is a qualitative, performance-based standard - it does not set a maximum footcandle or lux limit on spillover - but it does require fixtures to be shielded or aimed so that light does not spill onto neighboring properties or create driver glare. As a hillside community, lighting on individual projects is also reviewed through the city's design-review and site-plan process, and the Scenic Resources Overlay and hillside/ridgeline provisions in the Development Code may add project-specific conditions. Because the city relies on this performance standard rather than a comprehensive lighting ordinance, residents and developers should confirm specific project lighting requirements with the Community Development Department's Planning Division.