Weld County, CO Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Formal dark-sky ordinance
- None
- Light must be
- Shielded from adjacent lots
- Traffic hazard lighting
- Prohibited
- Governing section
- Weld County Code § 23-3-70(F)
- Cities
- Greeley/Evans set own rules
Summary
Weld County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but the Agricultural-zone bulk requirements mandate that outdoor light sources be shielded so beams or rays do not shine directly onto adjacent properties, and that light never creates a traffic hazard on public or private roads.
Sources of light shall be shielded so that beams or rays of light will not shine directly onto ADJACENT properties. Neither the direct nor reflected light from any light source may create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on PUBLIC or private STREETS/ROADS. No colored lights may be used which may be confused with or construed as traffic control devices. (Weld County Code Ordinance 2019-02; Weld County Code Ordinance 2020-16; Weld County Code Ordinance 2021-09; Weld County Code Ordinance 2021-15; Weld County Code Ordinance 2022-08; Weld County Code Ordinance 2023-03; Weld County Code Ordinance 2025-11)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Charter and County Code: Supplement 95).
Full Breakdown
Rather than a standalone dark-sky code, Weld County Code Chapter 23 embeds a light-shielding rule in the Agricultural (A) zone bulk requirements. Section 23-3-70(F) requires that light sources be shielded so beams or rays will not shine directly onto adjacent properties, that neither direct nor reflected light create a traffic hazard for motorists on public or private roads, and that no colored lights be used which could be confused with traffic-control devices. Sign lighting is separately capped so spillover onto adjoining lots stays low. These rules apply to unincorporated land; the cities of Greeley and Evans have their own outdoor-lighting standards. Contact Weld County Planning Services to confirm what applies to your property.
Violations & Fines
Unshielded lighting that spills directly onto a neighbor's property or creates a road hazard is a zoning violation enforced by Weld County Code Compliance under Chapter 23, typically through an order to shield or redirect the fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Weld County have dark-sky lighting rules?
Are colored outdoor lights allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Weld County
Compare Weld County to another location·View the Colorado outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.