Lakewood, CO Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture shielding
- required outside single-family/duplex
- Glare direction
- must point away from neighbors
- Light trespass
- no rays past property line
- Exempt fixtures
- accent lights up to 1,600 lumens
Summary
Lakewood's Zoning Ordinance requires shielded, adjustable-reflector fixtures with non-protruding diffusers on non-residential lighting, and bars any direct light rays or glare from crossing onto neighboring property or the public right-of-way.
B. Light sources shall be directed away from reflective surfaces to minimize glare upon adjacent property and public rights-of-way.
C. Lighting sources shall be positioned in such a manner as to direct light away from adjacent property.
D. No direct rays of light shall extend beyond the boundaries of the property from where the light originates.
E. Excluding single-family dwelling and duplex sites and associated accessory structures, light fixtures on structures, walls canopies, poles, stands, or mounted on a building shall have a shield, adjustable reflector, and non-protruding diffuser.
Full Breakdown
Under § 17.6.7.1 of the Zoning Ordinance, light fixtures on structures, walls, canopies, poles or stands, outside single-family and duplex sites, must have a shield, adjustable reflector, and non-protruding diffuser so light stays pointed down and inward. Light sources generally must be directed away from reflective surfaces and adjacent property to minimize glare, and no direct rays may extend past the property line where the light originates. Low-wattage residential accent and landscape fixtures capped at 1,600 lumens are exempt from the shielding requirement.
Violations & Fines
Installing an unshielded fixture on a non-exempt building, or lighting that casts direct rays onto a neighboring property, is a violation of § 17.6.7.1 requiring retrofit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lakewood, CO require shielded outdoor lighting?
Are single-family homes exempt from Lakewood's lighting shield rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
Compare Lakewood to another location·View the Colorado outdoor lighting overview
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle dark sky rules.