Adams County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but its operational standards require exterior lighting to be shielded, low-level, indirect and diffused, and no taller than 20 feet, positioned so no direct light or glare reflects onto neighboring property or roads.
Under the Development Standards and Regulations (Sec. 4-16-01), lighting facilities in every zone district must be arranged so no direct light or reflection creates a nuisance or hazard on adjacent property or a right-of-way, and exterior lighting must be compatible with adjacent properties. All lighting fixtures must be located to shield direct rays from adjoining properties; luminaires must be low-level, indirect, diffused, and no greater than 20 feet above finished grade. Upward architectural or decorative lighting must keep at least 90% of its distribution within the illuminated structure's profile. While not branded a "dark-sky" code, these shielding and downcast requirements serve the same purpose. Incorporated cities set their own lighting codes.
Lighting that creates glare or a nuisance on neighboring property can be cited as an operational-standards violation and ordered corrected by the county.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Northglenn, CO
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See how other cities in Adams County handle dark sky rules.
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