San Ramon, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture height cap
- 18 ft, Sec. D3-7.F
- Lighting plan
- Comprehensive plan required with project application
- Fixture type
- Energy-efficient lamps required
- Shielding
- Bulb must not be visible off-site
- Prohibited effects
- No blinking, flashing, or excess brightness
Summary
San Ramon caps outdoor light fixtures at 18 feet, requires energy-efficient lamps, and mandates that fixtures be shielded or recessed so the bulb is never visible from off-site, under Municipal Code Section D3-7; blinking, flashing, or unusually bright permanent lighting is banned outright.
F. Maximum height of lighting. An outdoor light fixture, not including parking area lighting structures, shall be limited to a maximum height of 18 feet. An outdoor light fixture within the public right-of-way or within a Park zone is exempt from this height limit because of site specific requirements. G. Energy-efficient fixtures required. Outdoor lighting shall utilize energy-efficient (high pressure sodium, low pressure sodium, hard-wired compact fluorescent, or other lighting technology that is of equal or greater energy efficiency) fixtures and lamps. H. Shielded or recessed lighting required. Lighting fixtures shall be shielded or recessed to reduce light bleed to adjoining properties, by: 1. Ensuring that the light source (e.g., bulb, etc.) is not visible from off the site. ... J. No blinking or flashing lights allowed. No permanently installed lighting shall blink, flash, or be of unusually high intensity or brightness, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
Full Breakdown
Section D3-7 applies to outdoor lighting in every zone unless a specific exception is noted. C-E). F). G). H). J).
Violations & Fines
Installing an unshielded fixture, a fixture over 18 feet, or lighting that blinks or flashes without Zoning Administrator sign-off violates Section D3-7 and is enforced as an infraction under the City's general penalty section, Section A1-32, with fines of up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $550 for each further violation within a year, and continuing daily under Section A1-33 until the fixture is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can an outdoor light pole be in San Ramon?
Do outdoor lights need to be shielded?
Are flashing or colored outdoor lights allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Ramon
California rules heatmap·Compare San Ramon to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle dark sky rules.