Modesto has no local dark-sky or dedicated outdoor lighting ordinance. Outdoor lighting on new and remodeled buildings is regulated by California Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code), which requires shielded, downward-directed fixtures and controls for non-residential exterior lighting.
Multiple searches of Modesto Municipal Code (Title 10 Zoning Regulations, Title 4 Public Welfare, Title 9 Building Regulations) found no standalone outdoor lighting or dark-sky ordinance. Specific-plan documents (e.g., Kiernan Business Park) impose project-level lighting conditions including full cutoff fixtures and prohibition of upward-directed light, but these apply only to those developments. City-wide, California Title 24, Part 6 (Building Energy Efficiency Standards) governs outdoor lighting controls for new construction and substantial remodels, mandating motion sensing, shut-off controls, and energy-efficient sources. General nuisance provisions in MMC Title 4 allow enforcement against unreasonable glare causing a public nuisance. Modesto is not an IDA Dark Sky recognized community.
Glare causing a public nuisance may be cited under MMC Title 4 nuisance provisions; civil penalties up to $2,500 per day. California Title 24 violations are enforced by Building Safety Division at permit issuance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Modesto, CA
Modesto's noise ordinance expressly exempts aircraft and railroad operations; aircraft noise around Modesto City-County Airport is governed by federal FAA ru...
Modesto, CA
Modesto's noise ordinance (MMC Title 4, Ch. 9) bans 'loud and raucous noise' citywide, including from industrial operations. Certain continuous industrial ac...
Modesto, CA
Modesto has no blanket overnight parking ban. The default rule is the 72-hour storage limit (sec. 3-2.1002). Residential Parking Permit Zones under Article 1...
Modesto, CA
Modesto zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fen...
Modesto, CA
Modesto's zoning ordinance limits a residential dwelling unit to two dogs (5+ months old) and three cats (3+ months old). Larger numbers, exotic animals, or ...
Modesto, CA
Modesto Municipal Code § 10-3.202 allows up to 12 domestic fowl (hens only - no roosters), plus 2 pygmy goats and 2 miniature potbellied pigs (no boars), per...
See how Modesto's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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