Fullerton, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Unlike some rural California jurisdictions with formal 'dark sky' lighting standards, unincorporated Orange County does not have a detailed dark-sky ordinance specifying lumen caps, color temperature, full-cutoff fixtures, or curfew dimming. The governing rule in the Comprehensive Zoning Code is brief: Sec. 7-9-67 (Lighting and illumination) states that all lighting shall be designed and located so as to confine direct rays to the premises. Individual zoning districts incorporate this standard by reference ('Lighting and illumination: Per section 7-9-67'). Related provisions address specific contexts -- for example, Sec. 7-9-114.4(5) requires sign illumination to be designed so direct light rays are confined to the site and not create a nuisance for residential buildings in a direct line of sight, and parking-area lighting must be directed to avoid glare onto adjacent streets and properties. Some special uses carry stricter caps; for instance, certain facilities limit outdoor lighting to one foot-candle directed toward the site. Overall, the County relies on the 'confine direct rays to the premises' standard rather than a quantitative dark-sky code. Property owners in scenic or wildland-adjacent areas should still shield fixtures and aim them downward both to comply with Sec. 7-9-67 and to avoid nuisance complaints, even though a formal dark-sky designation is not in place.