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Yuma, AZ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing state law: A.R.S. Title 49, Ch. 7, Light Pollution
Preferred light sources: LED and low pressure sodium
Max LED color temp: 3,000 Kelvin for commercial use
Mercury vapor lamps: Prohibited outright
Shielding exemption: 70 watts (700 lumens) or less
Deviation authority: Zoning Administrator, by application

Summary

Yuma's outdoor lighting chapter states its purpose in dark-sky terms: reducing waste, glare, light trespass and effects on wildlife under Arizona's Title 49 light-pollution statute while preserving night-time safety and the visibility of the night sky. The city backs that goal with concrete fixture rules, including shielding, LED color-temperature caps and a ban on mercury vapor lamps. City Code § 154-18.01 states the standard.

The principal purpose of the outdoor lighting regulations is to create standards for outdoor lighting which do not conflict with the reasonable use and enjoyment of property within the city and with astronomical observations. It is the intention of this subchapter to encourage the conservation of energy while increasing night-time safety, utility, security and productivity, through regulation of the types, kinds, construction, installation and use of outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices, lighting practices and systems. The provisions of Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 49 - The Environment, Chapter 7 - Light Pollution, shall be followed to uphold the “Dark Sky” goals of reducing waste, glare, light trespass, interference of artificial light, and effects on wildlife; therefor increasing safety, and the visibility of the night sky.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through May 20, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Yuma adopted its outdoor lighting regulations, Article 18 of the zoning code, explicitly to follow Arizona's dark-sky statute. 01 directs that the provisions of Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 49, The Environment, Chapter 7, Light Pollution, shall be followed to uphold the Dark Sky goals of reducing waste, glare, light trespass, interference of artificial light, and effects on wildlife, with the stated aim of increasing safety and the visibility of the night sky while still allowing energy conservation and night-time security. 02(N). 02(D)-(E). 02(O). 03(D)-(E).

Violations & Fines

Installing outdoor lighting that ignores the shielding, color-temperature or mercury-vapor ban in § 154-18.02 without an approved Zoning Administrator deviation is enforced under the chapter's general penalty, § 154-999: a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to ten days in jail, or both, with each day a noncompliant fixture keeps operating counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Yuma follow Arizona's dark-sky law?

Yes. Section 154-18.01 states that the city's outdoor lighting chapter follows A.R.S. Title 49, Chapter 7 on light pollution to uphold dark-sky goals of reducing waste, glare, light trespass and effects on wildlife while preserving the visibility of the night sky.

What light color temperature is allowed for commercial LED fixtures?

LED lighting for commercial uses must be corrected to 3,000 Kelvin or less under § 154-18.02(N). LED and low pressure sodium are named as the preferred sources generally, § 154-18.02(J).

Can I get an exception to Yuma's lighting standards?

Yes, through the Zoning Administrator. § 154-18.03(D)-(E) allows a deviation application if you submit a site plan and a lighting inventory covering brightness, color temperature, fixture height, angle and shielding, and show the standards are impractical for your property.

Sources & Official References

[1]Yuma City Code § 154-18.01, Outdoor Lighting Purpose

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