Fontana regulates outdoor lighting under FMC Title 17 to limit glare and spillover. Commercial and industrial lighting must be shielded full-cutoff. There is no full Dark Sky ordinance citywide.
Fontana's outdoor lighting rules, set in FMC Title 17 Development Code, focus on glare control, light trespass onto neighboring parcels, and uniform illumination on commercial and industrial sites. All new nonresidential development must submit a lighting plan demonstrating fixtures are full-cutoff (dark-sky friendly) or shielded to direct light downward and inward. Pole heights are limited based on zone (often 18 to 25 feet in parking lots, with taller limits for logistics and industrial). Maximum foot-candle values at property lines facing residential uses are typically 0.5 foot-candles, and 1.0 foot-candle facing nonresidential. Fontana does not have a comprehensive Dark Sky ordinance like the International Dark-Sky Association model, but does limit upward light output in the large logistics-warehouse corridor near I-10 to reduce sky glow affecting Mt. Baldy and the surrounding foothills. Residential lighting is largely unregulated but subject to nuisance rules in FMC Title 9 if direct glare invades a neighbor's bedroom or living area. LED color temperature guidance (typically 3000K or less) is recommended for new commercial projects. Fontana Planning reviews lighting as part of Design Review for commercial and industrial projects. Photometric plans must accompany building-permit applications for projects over specified size thresholds.
Lighting plan violations can hold up certificates of occupancy. Code Enforcement may issue FMC Title 1 administrative citations ($100-$500) for glare complaints. Persistent nuisance lighting can be abated through injunctive relief.
Fontana, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle dark sky rules.
See how Fontana's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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