Maricopa County, AZ Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Searchlight curfew
- 11 p.m. to sunrise ban
- Banned lamp type
- Mercury vapor prohibited outright
- Shielding required
- Full or partial, by lamp type
- Enforced by
- Zoning Inspector, Planning & Development Dept.
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Maricopa County only
Summary
Unincorporated Maricopa County requires outdoor light fixtures to be shielded, bans mercury vapor luminaires and unshielded building illumination, and prohibits advertising searchlights between 11 p.m. and sunrise under the zoning ordinance's outdoor light control provisions.
The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building, landscaping, signing or other purpose is prohibited, except with incandescent fixtures of 150 Watts or less, or low pressure sodium luminaires.
Full Breakdown
Section 812 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance regulates outdoor artificial lighting in the unincorporated county to curb light pollution affecting astronomical observations. Parking lot, landscape, building, and recreational light fixtures must be fully or partially shielded depending on lamp type, and mercury vapor luminaires cannot be installed at all. Unshielded illumination of buildings, landscaping, or signage is prohibited except with incandescent fixtures of 150 watts or less or low-pressure sodium lamps. Advertising searchlights must shut off between 11 p.m. and sunrise, and outdoor recreational facilities cannot run non-conforming lighting past 11 p.m. except to finish an event already underway. New installations require compliance plans submitted with the zoning clearance application.
Violations & Fines
Violating the lighting rules is a class 2 misdemeanor under MCZO § 1203.1, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; civil penalties up to the same maximum fine also apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install outdoor lighting in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Can I use mercury vapor lights on my property?
What happens if my outdoor lighting violates the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona outdoor lighting overview
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