Colorado Springs CSCC §7.3.701 requires fully-shielded full-cutoff fixtures, caps residential lumens, and encourages 3000K LED color temperature. El Paso County LDC Chapter 5.3.5 requires similar cutoff fixtures. USAF Academy dark-sky protection preserves training-critical night views. Manitou Springs has enhanced dark-sky overlays.
Outdoor lighting in El Paso County is regulated under Colorado Springs CSCC §7.3.701 (Exterior Lighting Standards) and El Paso County LDC §5.3.5. Both require fully-shielded (full-cutoff) fixtures directing light downward — no upward lumens permitted. Residential fixture limits: 1,600 initial lumens per fixture standard, 3,000 for designated security lighting. Color temperature capped at 3000K (warm white) for new installations — reduces blue-light pollution and migration-bird impact. Commercial and parking-lot lighting must meet IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) RP-33 standards and lumen-per-acre limits. Motion-sensor activation encouraged. Maximum pole heights 20 ft residential, 25-30 ft commercial. The USAF Academy airspace requires dark-sky protection to preserve training-critical night environments for pilot training — lighting within 3 miles of USAFA faces enhanced cutoff standards. Manitou Springs has pursued enhanced dark-sky overlay zoning as part of its historic-resort character preservation. Pikes Peak summit (Colorado Springs Utilities-managed) has strict observatory-quality lighting standards. International Dark-Sky Association certifications possible — Black Forest foothills and Cheyenne Mountain areas have strong dark-sky advocate communities. Holiday lighting temporarily exempt November 15-January 15. Streetlights managed by Colorado Springs Utilities with 3000K LED conversion ongoing.
Non-compliant fixtures: 30-day notice to correct. Failure to comply: $100-$500 fine per fixture. Commercial violations: up to $1,000 plus permit revocation. Repeat offenders: escalating daily fines.
Fountain, CO
Construction noise in Fountain is governed by C.R.S. §25-12-103 state noise standards. Construction during industrial-zone dB limits is allowed; work outside...
Fountain, CO
Fountain enforces noise control under its municipal code (available via Municode). The Colorado state noise framework (C.R.S. §25-12-103) establishes baselin...
Fountain, CO
Barking dogs that create ongoing disturbances are a nuisance under Fountain's municipal code (Title 6 — Regulation of Animals, available via Municode). El Pa...
Fountain, CO
Fountain requires vehicles on private property to be parked on improved or defined surfaces. Parking on lawns or unpaved areas in a manner that creates a nui...
Fountain, CO
Fountain does not have a publicly documented citywide RV street parking ban like Colorado Springs. El Paso County general parking standards may apply. On pri...
Fountain, CO
Colorado state law (C.R.S. §42-4-1204) and Fountain's traffic code limit large commercial vehicle parking in residential areas. Heavy trucks (typically GVWR ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in El Paso County.
See how Fountain's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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