Unincorporated Shasta County has no comprehensive 'dark-sky' lighting ordinance, but Zoning Code Section 17.84.050 (Lighting) is the controlling rule. It requires all exterior and interior lighting to be designed and located to confine direct lighting to the premises, so light does not spill onto neighboring property or create a traffic hazard.
Shasta County's general outdoor-lighting standard is Section 17.84.050 of Title 17 (Zoning), within the General Development Standards chapter. It states that all lighting, exterior and interior, must be designed and located so as to confine direct lighting to the premises; a light source must not shine upon or illuminate directly any surface other than the area required to be lighted; and no lighting may be of a type or in a location that constitutes a hazard to vehicular traffic on private property or on abutting streets. This is a performance standard rather than a detailed dark-sky code with lumen caps, color-temperature (Kelvin) limits, full-cutoff fixture mandates, or curfew hours. The county does not appear to have adopted an International Dark-Sky Association-style ordinance for unincorporated areas. The sign code adds related limits: Section 17.84.064(H) prohibits illuminated free-standing signs within 50 feet of any residential district, and prohibited signs include those with brilliant colors that blind or dazzle drivers (17.84.064(C)). Specific subdivisions, planned developments, or use permits may impose stricter lighting conditions. For exact requirements on a given project or parcel, confirm with Shasta County Resource Management (Planning).
Outdoor lighting that spills direct illumination beyond the premises onto a neighbor's property, or that creates glare hazardous to traffic, violates Section 17.84.050 and can be required to be shielded, redirected, or reduced by Shasta County Resource Management.
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