Del Norte County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

No quantitative light-trespass standard (such as a maximum footcandle level at the property line) was found in the County's published zoning ordinances. Del Norte County does not appear to set a numeric spillover limit for residential exterior lighting. Where a project goes through discretionary review - for example a use permit or a coastal development permit in the Coastal Zone under Title 21 - the County can impose conditions requiring shielded, downward-directed fixtures to prevent light from spilling onto adjacent parcels or roadways. Outside of that, a neighbor bothered by excessive light spill would typically rely on general nuisance principles rather than a dedicated lighting code. Practical steps that keep installations compliant include using full-cutoff or shielded fixtures, aiming lights down and away from property lines, using motion sensors and timers, and choosing lower-output lamps. Because Del Norte is a rural, dark-sky-rich redwood-coast county, minimizing glare and spill is both neighborly and consistent with protecting coastal and scenic resources. For projects requiring planning approval, confirm with the Planning Division (707-464-7254) whether shielding conditions will be required.