Arizona Statewide Rule
Arizona Statewide Outdoor Light Control Act
Key Facts
- Statute
- ARS 49-1101 to 49-1105
- Banned fixtures
- Unshielded mercury vapor
- Special counties
- Pima, Cochise, others
- Purpose
- Protect dark skies, observatories
- Enforcement
- State and local
Summary
Arizona regulates outdoor lighting statewide through the Outdoor Light Control statutes, requiring shielded fixtures and limits on certain lamp types, particularly in counties hosting major astronomical observatories.
All outdoor light fixtures shall be fully or partially shielded except incandescent fixtures of one hundred fifty watts or less and other sources of seventy watts or less. Streetlight fixtures are exempt from this requirement if the shielding is not available from the manufacturer.
Full Breakdown
ARS 49-1101 through 49-1105, the Outdoor Light Control Act, restricts outdoor lighting types and fixture designs across Arizona. The statute prohibits the sale or installation of unshielded outdoor mercury vapor luminaires and regulates other lamp types to reduce light pollution. Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Gila, Graham, and Maricopa counties have additional restrictions because of nearby observatories such as Kitt Peak and Mount Graham. State-permitted exemptions include public safety, emergency, and certain commercial signage uses. Cities and counties enforce the act in coordination with state law.
Violations & Penalties
Violations can result in civil penalties; non-compliant fixtures must be replaced or shielded, and sellers may face penalties for distributing prohibited luminaires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arizona have a statewide dark sky law?
Which Arizona counties have stricter lighting rules?
Are residential porch lights regulated?
Sources
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