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North Las Vegas, NV Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Core standard
Full-cutoff shielding required (§17.24.080.A.2.b)
Aim requirement
Deflect light away from residential zones/streets
Bulb restriction
Bare incandescent bulbs barred from view
Color rule
Blue-white fluorescent/mercury vapor lamps prohibited
Lighting plan
Licensed engineer's photometric plan for multi-family+

Summary

North Las Vegas requires all exterior lighting for parking areas, signs, and structures to be shielded so it does not spill onto neighboring property or the night sky. Section 17.24.080.A.2 requires lighting to be arranged so as to deflect light away from any adjoining residential zone or from the public streets, and to carry full-cutoff shielding so that light will not spill out onto surrounding properties or project above the horizontal plane.

a.Lighting shall be arranged so as to deflect light away from any adjoining residential zone or from the public streets.b.Exterior lighting shall have full-cutoff shielding so that light will not spill out onto surrounding properties or project above the horizontal plane. ... c.Bare incandescent light bulbs shall not be permitted in view of adjacent property or public right-of-way. Wall mounted lights shall be directed downward. Soffit or canopy mounted light fixtures should be recessed in the soffit or otherwise fully shielded.

Source: NLV Zoning OrdinanceView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 146 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

A, applies to any lighting used for an off-street parking area, a sign, a structure, or a pedestrian area such as a trail or open space. 2, titled Light Shielding, sets the core dark-sky requirement: lighting must be arranged to deflect light away from adjoining residential zones and public streets, and exterior fixtures must use full-cutoff shielding so light does not spill onto surrounding properties or project above the horizontal plane. c adds fixture-level detail, bare incandescent bulbs are barred from view of adjacent property or the right-of-way, wall-mounted lights must be directed downward, and soffit- or canopy-mounted fixtures should be recessed or otherwise fully shielded.

Ground-mounted or upward-directional lighting is permitted only where shielding or baffling creates a soft, uniform light and minimizes spillage beyond the wall or sign being lit. e states that warm lighting colors are encouraged while the blue-white colors of fluorescent and mercury vapor lamps are prohibited. B requires a detailed lighting plan, including fixture types, locations, and a photometric plan, prepared by a licensed electrical engineer and submitted with the building permit application.

Violations & Fines

Installing unshielded fixtures that deflect light toward a residential zone or a public street is a Title 17 Code violation under Section 17.28.200. The Director issues a written correction order, and noncompliance is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day the unshielded fixture stays lit counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Las Vegas require full-cutoff light fixtures?
Yes. Section 17.24.080.A.2.b requires exterior lighting used to illuminate parking areas, signs, or structures to carry full-cutoff shielding so that light will not spill out onto surrounding properties or project above the horizontal plane: the City's core dark-sky standard for every commercial and multi-family development.
Can I use blue-white LED or fluorescent fixtures outside my business?
Section 17.24.080.A.1.e prohibits 'the blue-white colors of fluorescent and mercury vapor lamps' outright and states that warm lighting colors are encouraged instead, so a project's fixture color temperature is regulated right alongside brightness limits and full-cutoff shielding requirements under the same exterior lighting section.
Do I need an engineer to design my parking lot lighting?
If the project is multi-family, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use, yes. Section 17.24.080.B requires a detailed lighting plan prepared by a licensed electrical engineer, covering fixture types and locations plus a photometric lighting plan, and it must be submitted along with the building permit application.

Sources & Official References

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