Little Rock, AR Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies in
- Granite Mountain Corridor overlay only
- Standard
- Nationally accepted dark-sky principles
- Shielding
- Light below horizontal fixture plane
- Max fixture height
- 20 feet
- Review
- Lighting plan required with permit
Summary
Granite Mountain Corridor development in Little Rock must submit a lighting plan reviewed under dark-sky principles, with fixtures shielded to point light downward and capped at 20 feet.
A lighting plan shall indicate the location, type, intensity, and height of luminaries including both building and ground-mounted fixtures. The lighting plan shall be reviewed using national accepted dark-sky principals. The plan shall include the description of the luminaries, including lamps, poles or other supports and shielding devices, which may be provided as catalogue illustrations from the manufacturer.
(1)Lighting shall be shielded so as to direct light below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.(2)Fixtures shall be high intensity type such as high pressure sodium.(3)Maximum height for mounting lighting fixture shall be twenty (20) feet. (Ord. No. 18,183, § 1H, 9-21-04)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 83).
Full Breakdown
Within the Granite Mountain Corridor Design Overlay District, the Highway 365 and Springer Boulevard corridor near the Audubon Arkansas Nature Center, new development and major redevelopment must submit a lighting plan reviewed against nationally accepted dark-sky principles. Fixtures must be shielded so no light escapes above a horizontal plane through the lowest light-emitting point, must be high-intensity type, and cannot be mounted higher than 20 feet. The overlay was created to protect the corridor's night-sky viewing areas and wildlife habitat from light pollution and visual clutter.
Violations & Fines
Building without an approved lighting plan, using non-shielded or floodlight-style fixtures, or mounting lights above 20 feet in the overlay district can hold up permit approval and force fixture replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this dark-sky rule apply citywide?
What does 'shielded' mean under this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Rock
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