Guadalupe County, TX Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County dark-sky rule
- None adopted
- TX statute
- Local Gov Code 240.032
- Authority trigger
- Near military installation
- Randolph AFB lighting
- City/military overlay
- Private rules
- HOA deed restrictions
Summary
Guadalupe County has no dark-sky ordinance for private homes. Texas has no general outdoor-lighting statute, but Local Government Code 240.032 lets counties near San Antonio's military bases adopt lighting orders around a base on the commander's request. Guadalupe County has adopted none.
This subsection applies only to a county with a population of more than one million that has at least five United States military bases and to any county adjacent to that county that is within five miles of a United States Army installation, base, or camp.
Full Breakdown
No Guadalupe County ordinance requires shielded or dark-sky lighting on private property. Texas has no statewide dark-sky law for homes. One narrow exception matters here: because Guadalupe County sits next to Bexar County, home to Joint Base San Antonio and Randolph AFB near Schertz and Cibolo, Local Government Code Section 240.032 lets the commissioners court adopt outdoor-lighting orders within five miles of a military installation - but only on the base commander's request and after a public hearing. The county has not adopted such orders. Lighting around Randolph AFB is instead controlled through the San Antonio-area Military Lighting Overlay District and city codes. HOA deed restrictions govern most neighborhood lighting.
Violations & Fines
The county issues no dark-sky citations to private property owners because it has adopted no lighting order. HOAs enforce lighting covenants civilly, and city and military overlay standards bind property inside those jurisdictions, not unincorporated homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Guadalupe County require dark-sky lighting?
Why is there lighting regulation near Randolph AFB?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Guadalupe County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Guadalupe County to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.