Los Angeles County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Lighting direction
- Fully shielded, directed downward
- Hours lights must be off
- 10:00 pm to sunrise
- Security light max output
- 60 watts (600 lumens); motion-detector required
- LED CCT maximum
- Less than 3000 K
- Prohibited types
- Perimeter, aesthetic, access roads, equestrian pastures, most driveways
- Fixture height limit
- 20 ft max (40 W/400 lm cap above 15 ft)
Summary
The Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD requires all outdoor lighting to be fully shielded and directed downward, turned off from 10 pm to sunrise, with prohibited lighting types including perimeter, aesthetic, and access-road lighting.
M.Outdoor Lighting. Permanent outdoor lighting, including street lights, shall be provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 22.80 (Rural Outdoor Lighting District). In addition, properties in the CSD are subject to the following standards:1.Prohibited outdoor lighting. The following types of lighting are prohibited within this CSD:a.Lighting around the perimeter of a parcel;b.Lighting for aesthetic purposes;c.Lighting of access roads;d.Lighting of equestrian pasture areas;2.Lighting allowance.a.All lighting must be fully shielded and directed downward.b.Outdoor lighting shall be minimized and directed away from S1 and S2 habitat and adjacent residences.c.Security lighting attached to the principally permitted structure and other permitted accessory structures shall be controlled by motion detectors and shall have a manufacturer's maximum output rating of no greater than 60 watts (600 lumens), or the equivalent.3.Hours of Operation. Permanent and temporary outdoor lighting shall be turned off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and sunrise every day, unless the use on the involved property operates past 10:00 p.m. in accordance with approved permits or entitlements, and then the outdoor lighting shall be turned off within one hour after the use's operation ends for the day.
Full Breakdown
LA County Code § 22.336.070.M imposes strict dark-sky lighting standards throughout the Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD. All lighting must be fully shielded and directed downward. Permanent and temporary outdoor lighting must be off from 10:00 pm to sunrise; a one-hour extension is allowed if the use operates past 10 pm under an approved permit. Several lighting types are outright banned: perimeter lighting, aesthetic lighting, lighting of access roads, lighting of equestrian pastures, and most driveway lighting. Security lighting must use motion detectors and is capped at 60 watts (600 lumens). LED lights (other than institutional) must have a correlated color temperature below 3000 K and an S/P ratio below 1.2. The maximum fixture height is 20 feet (only 40 watts/400 lumens allowed above 15 feet); walkway fixtures are limited to 2 feet. All lighting rules are in addition to Chapter 22.80 (Rural Outdoor Lighting District).
Violations & Fines
Using prohibited lighting types, leaving outdoor lights on past 10 pm without an approved permit or motion-sensor controls, exceeding the 60-watt cap on security lights, or using LED lighting above 3000 K.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to turn off all outdoor lights at 10 pm?
What type of LED lights are allowed in the North Area CSD?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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