Flagstaff was named the world's first International Dark Sky City in 2001. Its Zoning Code and the Coconino County lighting ordinance cap outdoor light output, require full shielding, and mandate amber-toned lamps to protect Lowell Observatory and Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station.
Coconino County runs the strictest dark-sky regime in the country. Flagstaff's Zoning Code Division 10-50.70 caps total outdoor light output - 25,000 lumens per net acre in the darker Lighting Zone 1, rising to 50,000 in Zone 2 for commercial sites, and 10,000 lumens per single-family parcel - requires fully shielded fixtures, and prefers Low-Pressure Sodium or narrow-spectrum amber LEDs over white light. The Coconino County lighting ordinance applies parallel full-shielding and lumen limits across unincorporated land. Both exist to protect Lowell Observatory and the U.S. Naval Observatory's Flagstaff Station. Sedona is a separate International Dark Sky Community with its own code.
Non-compliant fixtures draw a correction notice, then escalating fines and possible permit or certificate-of-occupancy holds. New construction must pass an outdoor-lighting plan review before permits issue.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Coconino County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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