Clark County, WA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Shielding required
- Yes, to minimize glare
- Uplight
- Minimized above fixtures
- Holiday lights
- Exempt
- Formal dark-sky ordinance
- None adopted
- Example code
- CCC 40.210.020
Summary
Clark County requires outdoor lights, except seasonal holiday lights, to be directed or shielded to minimize glare visible from streets, nearby dwellings, and above the fixtures. This shielding standard applies across residential and rural zoning districts in the county code. The county has no separate formal dark-sky ordinance.
Outdoor lights, except for seasonal holiday lights, must be directed or shielded to minimize glare visible from streets, nearby dwellings, and above the fixtures.
Full Breakdown
The county's zoning district standards (for example CCC 40.210.020 for rural districts) require that outdoor lights, except seasonal holiday lights, be directed or shielded to minimize glare visible from streets, nearby dwellings, and above the fixtures. The 'above the fixtures' language limits uplight and light pollution, functioning as the county's dark-sky-style rule. Illuminated signs face parallel limits under CCC 40.310.010 and must not be a nuisance to nearby residences. Clark County has not adopted a standalone International Dark-Sky ordinance, so this shielding requirement in the Unified Development Code is the operative standard for reducing skyglow.
Violations & Fines
Unshielded outdoor lighting that casts glare onto streets, neighboring homes, or upward violates the district lighting standard and can be addressed through Community Development code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clark County have a dark-sky law?
Are holiday lights exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington outdoor lighting overview
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