San Francisco, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Planning Code § 139(c)(1)(B)
- Geographic trigger
- Within 300 ft of Urban Bird Refuge
- Uplighting
- Prohibited outright
- Event searchlights
- Prohibited on covered property
Summary
San Francisco requires shielded, minimal outdoor lighting with no uplighting on buildings near Urban Bird Refuges under the Planning Code's bird-safe building standards, aimed at cutting light spill that disorients migrating birds.
Lighting. Minimal lighting shall be used. Lighting shall be shielded. No uplighting shall be used. Event searchlights are prohibited on property subject to these controls.
(C) Wind Generation. Wind generators in this area shall comply with the Planning Department's permitting requirements, including any monitoring of wildlife impacts that the Department may require.
(2) Feature-Related Standards. Feature-related hazards include free- standing glass walls, wind barriers, skywalks, balconies, and greenhouses on rooftops that have unbroken glazed segments 24 square feet and larger in size. Feature-related hazards can occur throughout the City. Any structure that contains these elements shall treat 100% of the glazing on Feature-Specific hazards.
(3) Exceptions. Certain exceptions apply to this Section as set forth below.
(A) Certain Exceptions for Location-Related Standards to be Applied to Residential Buildings Within R-Districts.
(i) Limited Glass Facade. Residential buildings within R- Districts that are less than 45 feet in height and have an exposed facade comprised of less than 50% glass are exempt from new or replacement facade glazing requirements included in Section 139(c)(1) Location-Related Standards.
(ii) Substantial Glass Facade. Residential buildings that are less than 45 feet in height but have a facade with surface area composed of
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
San Francisco's Planning Code Section 139 sets Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings. Its Location-Related Standards reach any building inside an 'Urban Bird Refuge', open space of two acres or more dominated by vegetation, forest, meadow, grassland, wetlands, or open water, plus any building within 300 feet of one with an unobstructed sightline. Covered buildings, including new construction, additions creating a bird hazard, and projects replacing 50% or more of glazing on an existing hazard, must use minimal, shielded lighting. Uplighting is banned outright, and event searchlights are prohibited entirely on affected property.
Violations & Fines
Covered projects cannot clear Planning Department review without complying; Section 139's lighting rules are mandatory conditions of approval for new construction, qualifying additions, and major glazing replacements near bird refuges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Francisco have a citywide dark-sky lighting law?
What counts as an Urban Bird Refuge under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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