Renton, WA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Building light rule
- No light visible above the roofline
- Parking lot fixture height
- Max 25 feet, cutoff-type luminaire required
- R-10/R-14 alley lights
- Max 8 feet, pointed away from backyards
- R-10/R-14 walkway lights
- Max 12 feet, ornamental downlighting
- Exempt uses
- Signage, holiday lights, flags, ROW, stadiums/parks
Summary
Renton requires exterior fixtures to be shielded and directed downward: building lights can't shine above the roofline, and parking lot lights must sit under 25 feet with cutoff-type luminaires, under RMC 4-4-075.E.
E. STANDARDS: No use or activity shall cause light trespass beyond the boundaries of the property lines. 1. Building Lights: All building lights shall be directed onto the building itself or the ground immediately abutting to it. The light emissions shall not be visible above the roofline of the building. 2. Parking Lot or Display Lot Lights: Parking lot or display lot light fixtures shall be non-glare and mounted no more than twenty five feet (25') above the ground to minimize the impact onto adjacent and abutting properties. All fixtures shall be fitted with a cutoff type luminaire as exemplified below.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6197, passed August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
E sets design standards on top of the section's general trespass ban. Building lights must be directed onto the building itself or the ground immediately abutting it, and the light emissions can't be visible above the roofline. Parking lot or display lot fixtures must be non-glare, mounted no more than twenty-five feet above the ground, and fitted with a cutoff-type luminaire so the bulb's direct light is blocked from spreading sideways and upward. D). F4: all exterior house lighting must be downlighting or mounted beneath building eaves so light doesn't project upward, common-green and park lighting must be downlighting, garage-mounted alley lights can't exceed eight feet and must point away from adjacent backyards, and ornamental walkway fixtures are capped at twelve feet. C. H, appealable per RMC 4-8-110.
Violations & Fines
Exterior lighting that fails the shielding, mounting-height, or downlighting standards of RMC 4-4-075.E and F is a code compliance failure enforced by the Community and Economic Development Administrator during permit review; unpermitted or nonconforming fixtures can be conditioned, modified, or required to be brought into compliance, with general violations punishable as a misdemeanor under RMC 1-3-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Renton require shielded, downward-facing outdoor lights?
Are there stricter lighting rules in some Renton neighborhoods?
Is holiday lighting exempt from Renton's shielding rules?
Who decides if my lighting plan meets Renton's standards?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Renton
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle dark sky rules.