Lubbock, TX Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Required certification
- IDA Fixture Seal of Approval (Dark-Sky)
- Applies to
- New development in MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, MU-5
- Max color temperature citywide
- 3,000 Kelvins
- Sensor requirement
- Timers/dimmers/motion sensors when not needed for safety
- Adopted
- Ordinance 2023-O0054, 5/9/2023
Summary
New development in Lubbock's Base Mixed-Use districts must use International Dark-Sky Association-certified fixtures, and citywide outdoor lighting must stay at 3,000 Kelvins or below to cut blue light that washes out the night sky.
Required fixtures. New developments in the Base Mixed-Use districts are required to utilize fixtures certified as "Dark-Sky Approved" through the International Dark-Sky Association Fixture Seal of Approval (FSA) program. Fixtures certified through the FSA program minimize glare, reduce light trespass and skyglow, and improve the community aesthetic. ... Maximum Kelvins. The CCT of luminaires installed pursuant to the provisions of this Division shall be 3,000 Kelvins (3000K) or less.
Full Breakdown
Lubbock's UDC folds dark-sky design directly into its outdoor lighting standards rather than treating it as a separate overlay. 029(h) requires new developments in the Base Mixed-Use districts (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, MU-5) to use fixtures certified as 'Dark-Sky Approved' through the International Dark-Sky Association's Fixture Seal of Approval (FSA) program, which the code notes minimizes glare and reduces light trespass and skyglow. 029(f) caps the correlated color temperature of luminaires at 3,000 Kelvins (3000K) or less, favoring warm amber light over cool blue or white.
029(g)). 028 bars any outdoor lighting resembling emergency signals (strobe, rotating, or flashing beacons) and bars searchlights, aerial lasers, or beacons used to attract attention to a property. These standards trace to Ordinance 2023-O0054, adopted May 9, 2023, and were amended by Ordinance 2025-O0095, adopted August 18, 2025.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant new development lighting is caught at Site Development Plan review, since an Outdoor Lighting Plan demonstrating compliance with the Division is a submittal requirement (§ 39.03.029(i)). Once installed, a violation of the UDC's lighting standards is enforced as a misdemeanor under § 39.09.004(b)(1), punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and the Director of Code Enforcement may also sue to abate the violation directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lubbock require dark-sky certified light fixtures?
Is there a color-temperature limit on outdoor lighting citywide?
Are flashing or strobe outdoor lights allowed in Lubbock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lubbock
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Lubbock to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.