Stark County, OH Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County dark-sky rule
- None; Canton has one
- Authority
- Canton CO Ch. 1185, 1185.02
- Sky illumination
- Must be minimized
- Shielding height
- Not visible above 5 ft at line
- Floodlight cutoff
- 45-degree vertical shield
Summary
Canton's outdoor illumination code (Chapter 1185) requires exterior lighting to minimize sky illumination. Under Section 1185.02, all outdoor lighting must be directed to avoid glare into the sky, and fixtures must be shielded so the light source is not visible above five feet at the lot line.
All outdoor lighting shall be directed to avoid glare outside the property line or boundary, or into the sky. ... Fixtures shall be designed and mounted such that neither the light source nor the lens are visible from above a height of five feet at the property lot line.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026-01: Local legislation current through May 18, 2026 | State legislation current through December 31, 2025).
Full Breakdown
Stark County has no countywide dark-sky ordinance, but Canton adopted outdoor-illumination standards in Chapter 1185 to reduce light pollution while preserving safety. Section 1185.02 requires exterior lighting systems to be designed, installed, and maintained to minimize sky illumination, and states that all outdoor lighting shall be directed to avoid glare outside the property line or into the sky. Fixtures must be designed and mounted so that neither the light source nor the lens is visible from above a height of five feet at the property lot line, and floodlights need top and side shields to prevent light emission above a 45-degree cut-off angle. In unincorporated townships, lighting is governed by township zoning under ORC Ch. 519, if any.
Violations & Fines
Nonconforming exterior lighting can be cited as a zoning violation, with an order to shield, redirect, or replace fixtures. Enforcement runs through Canton's zoning and building departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canton limit light shining into the sky?
Are there dark-sky rules for Stark County townships?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stark County
Compare Stark County to another location·View the Ohio outdoor lighting overview
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