Yuba County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- IESNA Cut Off / Full Cut Off
- Applies to
- new multi-family, non-res, 10%+ expansions
- Prohibited types
- mercury vapor, drop-down lenses
- Chapter
- Development Code Ch. 11.19
Summary
Unincorporated Yuba County requires outdoor lighting fixtures on covered projects to be shielded against obtrusive glare and to meet IESNA "Cut Off" or "Full Cut Off" standards, a dark-sky-style shielding rule for new multifamily and non-residential development.
(3)Fixture type. All lighting fixtures shall be shielded so as not to produce obtrusive glare onto the public right-of-way or adjoining properties. All luminaries shall meet the most recently adopted criteria of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for "Cut Off" or "Full Cut Off" luminaries. In the Figure below, cd refers to the candela or measurement of luminous intensity based on the direction or angle of the light projection.
Figure 11.19.060(c)(3): Fixture Type Figure 11.19.060(c)(3): Fixture Type
(4)Light trespass. Lights shall be placed to deflect light away from adjacent properties and public streets, and to prevent adverse interference with the normal operation or enjoyment of surrounding properties.a.Direct or sky-reflected glare from floodlights shall not be directed into any other property or street.b.No light or combination of lights, or activity shall cast light exceeding one foot candle onto a public street, with the illumination level measured at the centerline of the street.c.No light, combination of lights, or activity shall cast light exceeding 0.5 foot candle onto a residentially zoned property, or any property containing residential uses.
Figure 11.19.060(c)(4): Light Trespass Figure 11.19.060(c)(4): Light Trespass
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
The Development Code's lighting and illumination standards apply to new multifamily residential buildings, new non-residential development, and additions that expand existing floor area by 10 percent or more. For those projects, every lighting fixture must be shielded so it doesn't throw obtrusive glare onto the right-of-way or adjoining land, and all luminaires must meet the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's Cut Off or Full Cut Off criteria: the industry benchmark for full-cutoff, dark-sky-compliant fixtures. Ordinary single-family homes outside that project scope aren't covered by this section.
Violations & Fines
Yuba County Planning reviews lighting plans at permit stage for covered projects; non-compliant fixtures can be rejected in plan check or required to be replaced with shielded, full-cutoff luminaires before occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need shielded fixtures for a new single-family home in unincorporated Yuba County?
What lighting standard must covered projects meet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuba County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yuba County to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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