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Outdoor lighting in Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs's own rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text for every value.

Ask about outdoor lighting in Desert Hot Springs See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Desert Hot Springs's code says

Desert Hot Springs code What Desert Hot Springs's code adds
Light at the property line
  • No glare may be visible beyond any boundary line of the parcel.
    § 17.40.140 · code text
    No glare incidental to any use shall be visible beyond any boundary line of the parcel.
Shielding
  • Partial shielding is required.
    Applies: Low pressure sodium lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Low pressure sodium (1) | Partially | None |
  • Full shielding is required.
    Applies: High pressure sodium lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | High pressure sodium | Fully | None |
  • Full shielding and a filter are required.
    Applies: Metal halide lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Metal halide (2) | Fully | Yes |
  • Full shielding and a filter are required.
    Applies: Fluorescent lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Fluorescent | Fully (3) | Yes (4) |
  • Full shielding is required.
    Applies: Quartz lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Quartz (5) | Fully | None |
  • Full shielding is required.
    Applies: Incandescent lights over 160 watts.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Incandescent, greater than 160 watts | Fully | None |
  • No shielding is required.
    Applies: Incandescent lights of 160 watts or less.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Incandescent, 160 watts or less | None | None |
  • No shielding is required.
    Applies: Fossil fuel lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Fossil fuel | None | None |
  • No shielding is required.
    Applies: Glass tubes filled with neon, argon or krypton.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    | Glass tubes filled with neon, argon or krypton | None | None |
  • New mercury vapor fixtures are not allowed; existing ones must be fully shielded.
    Applies: Mercury vapor lights.
    § 17.40.170 · code text
    All existing mercury vapor lights installed shall be fully shielded.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Desert Hot Springs?

Desert Hot Springs's code: Partial shielding is required. (Low pressure sodium lights.) (§ 17.40.170); No glare may be visible beyond any boundary line of the parcel. (§ 17.40.140).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Desert Hot Springs property

Ask GoCodebook how Desert Hot Springs's outdoor lighting rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code — full text