Catawba County, NC Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Sec. ' Subsections (b) through (d) apply to nonresidential and multifamily development, while subsection (e) covers new single-family subdivisions. The core shielding rule sits in subsection (a)(2): 'All fixtures must be either semi-cutoff or full-cutoff fixtures only,' meaning no bare bulb or unshielded floodlight can be used on covered development. Subsection (b) extends that to architectural and landscape lighting: floodlights or spotlights cannot illuminate a building or site feature 'unless they are an integral architectural element that is designated on the development plan,' and floodlights mounted on light poles to wash a site or building are flatly prohibited.

Subsection (b)(2) restates the shielding mandate directly: 'The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building or landscaping is prohibited. ' Sign lighting must be 'directed ground lighting sign or mounted on the top of the sign and be shielded from the sight of passing motorists' under (b)(3). Subsection (d) then bans specific fixture types outright regardless of shielding: vertical burn lamps, flashing or colored or 'obtrusive' lighting, laser-source light for advertising or entertainment, searchlights operated for advertising, and black lights or neon signage lighting other than actual signs. Convenience-store canopy lighting gets its own ten-foot-candle cap at grade level under subsection (c).