Fort Worth does not have a comprehensive dark-sky ordinance. The city's Zoning Ordinance includes general provisions for outdoor lighting in commercial and industrial districts requiring shielding to reduce glare on adjacent residential properties. Fort Worth follows the International Dark-Sky Association guidelines for city-owned lighting where feasible but has not adopted a formal dark-sky ordinance. The city's LED streetlight conversion program uses shielded fixtures that reduce light pollution compared to older technology.
Fort Worth enforces outdoor lighting standards through building codes and zoning regulations. New exterior lighting must use fully shielded (full-cutoff) fixtures that direct light downward. Maximum wattage and lumen limits may apply in residential zones. Motion-sensor lighting encouraged for security. Commercial lighting must not spill onto adjacent residential properties. Parking lot lighting has specific pole height and coverage requirements. Some jurisdictions adopt International Dark-Sky Association recommendations. LED lighting must meet color temperature guidelines, typically 3000K or below to reduce blue light emissions.
Non-compliant fixtures: notice to correct within 30 days. Failure to comply: fines $100 to $500. Commercial violations: permit revocation possible. Repeat offenders: daily fines.
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Code Sec. 23-8 caps non-residential and commercial noise at 80 dBA during daytime hours (7 AM - 10 PM), measured at the source property line for a...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth City Code Sec. 23-8 restricts construction noise that disturbs neighboring properties, with heavy equipment such as pile drivers prohibited betwee...
Fort Worth, TX
Under Fort Worth Code Sec. 22-160, it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any unpaved portion of the front or side yard of a residential lot in A, A-R, B, R-1, ...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 5.305 limits front-yard fences to open designs with at least 50% transparency, effectively barring solid wood, masonry, or vinyl panel...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth has no city ordinance requiring neighbors to share fence costs or notify each other before building. The city only enforces fence height, location...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth requires building permits for fences over 6 feet tall and for masonry fences. Standard wood or chain-link fences up to 6 feet (8 feet behind the f...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Tarrant County.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle dark sky rules.
See how Fort Worth's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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