Maricopa, AZ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

MCC Chapter 18.95 sets Maricopa's lighting standards. Under the general requirements, all exterior illuminating devices except exempt ones must be fully or partially shielded. 'Fully shielded' means fixtures are shielded so that light rays emitted, directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted, which limits uplight into the night sky. All lighting must be designed to confine direct rays to the premises or onto adjacent public rights-of-way. The chapter also sets functional illumination levels: parking and loading areas and their driveways must provide not less than 1.0 and not more than 5.0 foot-candles overall average, with a minimum of 0.25 foot-candle on the paved surface; exterior pedestrian pathways and adjacent landscape within 20 feet must be lit dusk to dawn at one-half foot-candle at finish grade. Lighting design must complement building architecture. Note this is the City of Maricopa code in Pinal County and is separate from the Maricopa County dark-sky ordinance (a different jurisdiction near Phoenix). Roadway and street lighting and certain fixtures may be exempt; verify your situation against Chapter 18.95 and with Development Services.