New Braunfels, TX Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Under the city's zoning code, non-residential and multifamily light fixtures cannot exceed 0.25 foot-candles measured at an adjacent residential property line, and fixtures lighting parking lots, driveways, or buildings must be fully shielded, full-cutoff types with no bulb visible beyond twice the mounting height. Pole and wall fixtures need house-side shielding once height exceeds 3 feet plus one-third of the distance to the nearest residential lot line. Residential yard lighting for security or recreation is capped at 20 feet (street lights exempt), any fixture over 10 feet must be shielded from neighboring property, and lights cannot shine directly onto adjacent dwellings.