Richland County, SC Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- Full-cutoff certified luminaires
- Orientation
- Downward to limit light pollution
- Banned lamps
- High-pressure sodium, mercury vapor
- Prohibited
- Search and laser source lights
- Authority
- LDC Sec. 26-177
Summary
Yes. Unincorporated Richland County has genuine dark-sky lighting standards. All new development must use full-cutoff certified luminaires aimed downward to minimize light pollution, glare, and trespass. High-pressure sodium and mercury-vapor lamps are banned, and search/laser lights are prohibited except in emergencies.
It is the intent of this section to achieve several purposes with respect to lighting in Richland County. Among these purposes are: to minimize light pollution, glare, and light trespass; to conserve energy and resources while maintaining night-time safety and utility; and to curtail the degradation of the night-time visual environment. ... All luminaires shall be full-cutoff certified. ... The orientation of all lighting shall be downward.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 26-177 of the Land Development Code states its intent is to minimize light pollution, glare, and light trespass and to curtail degradation of the night-time visual environment. It applies to all new development in unincorporated Richland County. All luminaires must be full-cutoff certified (except shielded athletic-field lights), have internal or external visors, and be oriented downward, with limited upward accent lighting for landscaping, flags, and places of worship. Approved lamps include LED, metal halide, fluorescent and incandescent; high-pressure sodium, low-pressure sodium, and mercury-vapor lamps are prohibited. Cities apply their own lighting rules.
Violations & Fines
Non-conforming lighting on new or expanded development is a zoning violation reviewed through the development-permit process and enforced by the Planning Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richland County have dark-sky lighting rules?
Do these lighting rules apply to my existing house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
Compare Richland County to another location·View the South Carolina outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.