Fullerton, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Shielding rule
- Light must be directed away from adjacent property
- Pole height
- 15 feet maximum for game court lighting
- Motion detectors
- Required on all off-site-visible exterior lighting
- Timers
- Automatic timers required on decorative/court lighting
- Applies to
- Pools, tennis/basketball courts, play equipment
Summary
Fullerton requires exterior lighting on backyard game courts and similar recreational facilities to be shielded away from neighboring yards. Fullerton Municipal Code § 15.17.030(U)(1)(l)3 bars directing any exterior lighting off-site, on top of a 15-foot pole height cap and mandatory motion detectors and timers.
(l) Lighting for any outdoor recreational facility, such as a tennis or basketball court shall be designed in accordance with the following standards. 1. Light poles for game court lighting may not exceed 15 feet above the ground surface. 2. All exterior lighting visible from off-site must be equipped with motion detectors and all decorative lighting and game court lighting must be equipped with automatic timer switches to ensure that the lighting is turned off when not in use. 3. No exterior lighting may be directed off-site and shall be shielded to direct light away from any adjacent property.
Full Breakdown
030(U). " Three numbered standards apply together. First, light poles for game court lighting cannot exceed 15 feet above the ground surface. Second, any exterior lighting visible from off-site must carry a motion detector, and decorative or game court lighting must run on an automatic timer so it shuts off when not in use. Third, and the core dark-sky protection, no exterior lighting may be directed off-site and must be shielded to direct light away from any adjacent property. 90. The Director of Development Services reviews site plans for these facilities and can require screening or design changes before approving lighting fixtures near a property line.
Because the rule is written into the residential development standards rather than a stand-alone sign or nuisance chapter, it travels with any building permit application for a court, pool deck or similar amenity, so a homeowner installing floodlights on a new backyard court must submit a fixture plan showing the shielding and timer features up front rather than retrofitting after a complaint.
Violations & Fines
Unshielded or off-site-directed lighting on a residential recreational facility violates § 15.17.030(U)(1)(l) and is enforced as a zoning code violation under § 1.08.010: an infraction carrying fines up to $100, $200 and $500 for successive violations within a year, or a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. The Director of Development Services may also require design changes as a condition of any pending building permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to shield lights on my backyard tennis court?
How tall can my court's light poles be?
Is a timer required on pool or court lighting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
California rules heatmap·Compare Fullerton to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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