Indio, CA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- shielded, downward-directed fixtures
- Prevents
- glare, light trespass, light pollution
- Scope
- citywide, all outdoor lighting
- Governing section
- UDC § 3.02.11(D)(2)
Summary
Indio requires all outdoor lighting to be shielded and aimed downward or at structures so it doesn't glare, trespass, or spill light beyond the project site onto neighbors or public streets.
Nuisance Prevention. All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site intended to be illuminated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 3.02.11(D)(2) of Indio's Unified Development Code is the general performance standard behind the City's outdoor lighting rules: every fixture must be designed, located, installed, aimed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained so it doesn't produce glare, light trespass, or light pollution onto adjoining properties or public rights-of-way. The test is functional, no fixture may directly illuminate any area outside the project site it's meant to light. It works alongside the Chapter's specific fixture-type, height, and footcandle limits rather than replacing them.
Violations & Fines
Fixtures that spill light onto neighboring properties or streets violate Section 3.02.11(D)(2) regardless of wattage or height compliance elsewhere; code enforcement can require re-aiming, shielding retrofits, or fixture replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my business floodlight its whole parking lot?
What counts as a shielding violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
California rules heatmap·Compare Indio to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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