Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Portland

Portland, OR Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing zone
River Overlay zone (Willamette River)
Shielding
100% opaque, top and sides
Max color temp
Below 3000K
Upward/side light
Prohibited
Citywide glare cap
0.5 foot-candles (§ 33.262.080)

Summary

Along the Willamette River, Portland's zoning code bans upward-facing exterior lights and requires full opaque shielding on light fixtures.

General standards. The following standards apply to all exterior lights located within the River General overlay zone. 1. Exterior lights must not project light upward or to the side of the fixture; 2. The top and sides of all exterior light fixtures must be shielded with 100 percent opaque materials; and 3. Lamps must fall below 3000K or within an S/P ratio range of 1 to 1.2.

Source: Portland City Code Title 33 — Planning and ZoningView official code

Full Breakdown

Portland City Code § 33.475.230 governs exterior lighting in the River Overlay zone along the Central and South Willamette River reaches. Fixtures can't project light upward or sideways, tops and sides must be shielded with 100% opaque material, and lamps must stay below 3000K color temperature (or an S/P ratio of 1 to 1.2). Near the river setback, permanent exterior lights are further limited to specific uses like public trails and river-dependent development. This is a zone-specific rule, not a citywide dark-sky ordinance: outside the River Overlay, Portland's general nuisance standard (§ 33.262.080) just caps glare at 0.5 foot-candles onto neighboring property, with no shielding or color-temperature requirement.

Violations & Fines

Enforced through Bureau of Development Services zoning code compliance; non-shielded or upward-facing fixtures within the River Overlay zone are a code violation subject to correction orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Portland have a citywide dark-sky ordinance?
No. Full-cutoff shielding and color-temperature limits only apply in the River Overlay zone along the Willamette River under § 33.475.230.
What's the lighting rule outside the River Overlay zone?
Portland City Code § 33.262.080 caps glare from any use at 0.5 foot-candles on neighboring property, but doesn't require shielding or limit fixture color.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Portland

Light Trespass & ShieldingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Portland rules

Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon outdoor lighting overview

Get notified when Dark Sky Rules in Portland, OR changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.