Tustin, CA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Tustin does not have a standalone dark-sky or comprehensive outdoor-lighting ordinance with numeric limits for residential properties. The clearest written guidance appears in the city's Cultural Resources District Residential Design Guidelines, which apply to Old Town and designated historic properties. Those guidelines advise that while exterior lighting may be desirable for security, the overspill of light onto adjoining properties may be a nuisance and using more light or higher-wattage bulbs than necessary wastes energy. They recommend using only the amount of light required to illuminate an area, using multiple fixtures with lower-wattage bulbs rather than a single high-output fixture, and using fixtures that aim light where it is needed and shield it from spilling onto adjacent property. For decorative lighting, the guidelines suggest fixtures roughly five to seven feet tall placed outside the front-yard setback and low-voltage systems that conserve energy. Outside the historic district, new development lighting is evaluated through the zoning Design Review process and the city addresses excessive light or glare as a potential nuisance. For dark-sky-style protections with measurable standards, California encourages shielded, downward-directed fixtures, but Tustin does not codify a specific lumen cap. Confirm current lighting expectations with the Tustin Community Development Department at (714) 573-3140.