Guilford County, NC Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture requirement
- Full cut-off, directed downward
- Max pole height
- 35 feet, except athletic fields
- Canopy lighting cap
- 30 initial footcandles at grade
- Sports lighting curfew
- Off 1 hour after event ends
- Fully exempt
- Single- and two-family homes on own lots
- Alternate compliance
- Needs Planning Director approval
Summary
Every exterior fixture in unincorporated Guilford County, including security lighting, must be a full cut-off fixture aimed straight down with no glow above the horizontal plane of the fixture, and outdoor light poles are capped at 35 feet except on athletic fields, under UDO Section 6.3.E.
2. Light Shielding All exterior luminaries, including security lighting, shall be full cut-off fixtures and directed downward, consistent with Figure 6-3-1 below. In no case shall lighting be directed above a horizontal plane through the lighting fixture.
3. Maximum Height Except for athletic fields or performance areas, the height of outdoor lighting, whether mounted on poles, walls, or by other means, shall be no greater than thirty-five (35) feet above grade.
Full Breakdown
2 sets the shielding standard: every exterior luminary, security lighting included, must be a full cut-off fixture directed downward, and light can never point above a horizontal plane running through the fixture itself, a rule diagrammed in the code's Figure 6-3-1. 3 caps mounting height at 35 feet above grade for lighting on poles, walls or any other support, with an exception for athletic fields or performance areas that need taller poles. Related standards in the same subsection round out the shielding scheme: canopy lighting over gas pumps or similar structures cannot exceed 30 initial footcandles at grade and must be designed to keep glare from crossing onto neighboring property, and sports field or outdoor recreation lighting must aim into the activity area, use glare-control packages like louvers or shields, and shut off within one hour after an event ends or the field is cleared. C. G where a fixture equals or exceeds the intended performance of a compliant one.
Violations & Fines
Installing an unshielded fixture or exceeding the 35-foot height cap is enforced the same way as any UDO violation: the Enforcement Officer issues a Notice of Violation under Section 10.04, and an uncorrected problem carries civil penalties climbing from $50 to $500 by the fourth offense under Section 10.06, with continued noncompliance chargeable as a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4 punishable by up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail; permits for other work on the property can be withheld until the fixture is fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do outdoor lights in Guilford County have to be shielded?
How tall can a commercial parking lot light pole be?
How late can a lit ball field stay on at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Guilford County
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