Rancho Cordova, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Shielding standard
- Full shielding, fixtures aimed downward, § 23.725.060(C)
- Freestanding fixture height
- 18 ft near residential, 24 ft elsewhere
- Approval needed
- Minor design review for new nonresidential lighting
- Lamp efficiency
- Minimum rated bulb life of 10,000 hours
- Plan requirement
- Photometric grid 10 feet beyond property line
Summary
Every outdoor light fixture in Rancho Cordova, from parking-lot poles to building accent lighting, must be fully shielded and aimed downward under RCMC § 23.725.060. Chapter 23.725's purpose section ties this design standard to preserving dark skies: fixtures must be shielded, recessed and directed away from adjoining properties so no fixture illuminates land outside the site, and freestanding poles are height-capped at 18 or 24 feet.
A. Nuisance Prevention. All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, shielded, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution. ... C. ... Shielding. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding and/or recessed to reduce light trespass to adjoining properties. Each fixture shall be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the site. ... E. ... Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures. The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures abutting residential development shall be 18 feet. Otherwise, the maximum height for freestanding outdoor light structures shall be 24 feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
725 RCMC opens by stating its purpose is to 'balance the safety and security needs for lighting with the city's desire to preserve dark skies' while keeping light trespass and glare to a negligible impact on neighboring property. ' Subsection (A) frames this as nuisance prevention, requiring every fixture to be designed, located, shielded and maintained to prevent glare, light trespass and light pollution. Height is capped too: freestanding fixtures abutting residential development max out at 18 feet, and 24 feet everywhere else, measured from finished grade to the top of the fixture. 070. 040.
Violations & Fines
Unshielded or upward-aimed fixtures installed without the required design review approval are a zoning code violation enforced under RCMC § 23.173.060: each day the noncompliant fixture remains in place is a separate infraction, the property can be treated as a public nuisance, and the city can issue a stop-work order until the fixture is shielded, redirected or removed to meet the chapter's standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rancho Cordova require dark-sky-friendly outdoor lighting?
How tall can an outdoor light pole be on my property?
Do I need city approval before installing new outdoor lighting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle dark sky rules.