Haltom City, TX Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Haltom City regulates outdoor lighting through its zoning ordinance and development standards to reduce glare, light trespass, and sky glow. While not a formal International Dark-Sky Community, the ordinance adopts performance-based standards that mirror IDA principles for non-residential properties. Commercial and multi-family site lighting must be fully shielded with cut-off or full cut-off fixtures that direct light downward and produce no glare above the horizontal plane. Light trespass onto adjoining residential property is limited to 0.1 to 0.5 foot-candles measured at the property line. Parking lot illuminance levels are capped to maintain security without excessive brightness (typically 1 to 3 foot-candles average, 5 foot-candles maximum). Pole heights for parking lot lighting are generally limited to 25 to 35 feet in commercial zones. Sign lighting must be integral or downward-directed rather than up-lit in ways that light the sky. Canopy lighting for gas stations must be recessed flush with the canopy or fully shielded. Automatic timers or photocells are required to turn off non-essential lighting after business hours (security and safety lighting can remain). Residential lighting is regulated more loosely, with standards primarily addressing nuisance situations where a neighbor's exterior light shines directly into a home or yard and causes a nuisance under the zoning ordinance and general nuisance provisions. Motion-activated security lights are encouraged because they minimize nighttime light emissions. Holiday decorative lighting is typically permitted November through early January without specific restriction. Sports lighting for parks, schools, and private athletic facilities is subject to higher review with required shields, curfew hours (typically lights off by 10 or 11 PM), and directional controls to protect adjacent residential areas.