Greensboro, NC Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cutoff fixture required
- lights over 4,050 lumens
- Max pole height
- 35 feet above grade
- Cutoff definition
- 0% light above 90°, ≤10% above 80°
- Rules apply to lighting installed after
- June 30, 2010
- Flashing/strobe/laser lighting
- prohibited
- Modification available from
- Planning Director (Type 1)
Summary
Greensboro's Land Development Ordinance requires cut-off fixtures on any outdoor light producing more than 4,050 lumens, caps light poles at 35 feet, and bans flashing, revolving or high-intensity beams like spotlights, lasers and strobes anywhere visible from a property line or street.
A. All outdoor light fixtures that produce more than 4,050 lumens must be cut-off fixtures and have flat lenses and/or shielding. A cut-off light fixture emits 0% of its light above 90 degrees and no more than 10% above 80 degrees from horizontal. The Planning Director is authorized to grant a Type 1 Modification to this standard. ... B. Pole heights may not exceed 35 feet in height above grade. The Planning Director is authorized to grant a Type 1 Modification to this standard.
Full Breakdown
5, every outdoor light fixture producing more than 4,050 lumens (roughly a 200-watt incandescent, 150-watt tungsten-halogen, or 50-watt high-pressure sodium bulb) must be a cut-off fixture with flat lenses and/or shielding: a cut-off fixture emits zero percent of its light above 90 degrees from horizontal and no more than 10 percent above 80 degrees, keeping the glow directed down rather than into the sky or neighboring yards. Light poles may not exceed 35 feet above grade. The Planning Director can grant a Type 1 Modification to either the fixture or the pole-height standard on a case-by-case basis.
4 bans flashing, revolving or intermittent exterior lighting visible from any property line or street, and prohibits high-intensity beams such as outdoor searchlights, lasers or strobe lights outright. 7), and temporary construction or emergency lighting. 8.
Violations & Fines
Outdoor lighting that isn't cut off or exceeds the 35-foot pole limit is an LDO violation: the city issues a notice under § 30-5-5.2, and an uncorrected fixture draws a civil citation of $50 for a first offense, climbing to $100, $200 and $500 for repeat violations, with each additional day treated as a separate offense under § 30-5-5.3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every outdoor light in Greensboro need a shield?
How tall can a light pole be on commercial property?
Are search lights or laser displays allowed?
Are holiday lights subject to these shielding rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greensboro
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle dark sky rules.