Anne Arundel County, MD Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-3-201 sets outdoor lighting standards by zone. In nonresidential districts, light fixtures must sit at least 25 feet from the boundary of any residential district, though the Office of Planning and Zoning can approve a lesser setback if an application shows the fixtures won't be visible from the lot line, will have minimal offsite impact, carry extra shielding, or otherwise won't cause glare or spillover. On residentially zoned lots, fixtures must be arranged to direct light down toward the property they're on and away from adjoining residential lots, or aimed to confine the beam to an object like a flag or landscaping, and any security lighting must use motion sensors.