Pierce County's countywide exterior illumination standards in PCC 18J.15.085 require hidden light sources, downward-directed shielded floodlights, and a 3000 Kelvin maximum color temperature to limit skyglow and glare.
Countywide exterior illumination standards for unincorporated Pierce County appear in PCC 18J.15.085. Light sources must be hidden from public view except streetlights and holiday lights, the fixture housing must be totally opaque, and clear or refractive lenses may not extend below the housing. All building-mounted floodlights must be directed downward and shielded from above so the bottom edge of the shield is at or below the light source. The correlated color temperature of all outdoor lighting must be 3000 Kelvin maximum or lower within ANSI tolerance, and brightness must be minimized to the level necessary for the application. These dark-sky-style standards apply chiefly to development projects; single-family homeowners should still follow light-trespass and nuisance rules.
Unshielded floodlights, exposed bright light sources, or fixtures over 3000 Kelvin on a regulated project can fail design review and require corrective reshielding or replacement before approval.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
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Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
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Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider β mainly Tacoma Water and l...
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Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
See how Pierce County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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