Outdoor lighting in Inyo County

All new outdoor lighting, including landscape lighting, shall use full cutoff luminaires with the light source downcast and fully shielded with no light emitted above the horizontal plane, with the following exceptions:

Fixtures that have a maximum output of one hundred lumens (equivalent to one ten-watt incandescent bulb) or less, regardless of the number of bulbs, such as for string party or yard lights, may be left unshielded provided the bulb surfaces are obscured from off-site visibility with a semi-translucent or frosted glass that has an opaque top to prevent the light from shining directly up.

Fixtures that have a maximum output of six hundred lumens (equivalent to one forty-watt incandescent bulb) or less shall be partially or totally shielded using a solid or semi-translucent barrier, provided that the lamp is not visible from off site, no direct glare is produced, and the fixture has an opaque top to keep light from shining directly up; e.g., a low output-style wall pack.

Floodlights that do not meet the definition of "full cutoff' may be used if permanently directed downward, if no light is projected above the horizontal plane, and if fitted with external shielding to prevent glare and off-site light trespass. Unshielded floodlights are prohibited.

If the planning or public works director determines that a nonconforming lighting fixture results in light pollution or light trespass, the director may require the light to either be shielded, filtered, redirected, replaced with a less intense light source or otherwise modified (including removal if necessary) to eliminate the light pollution or light trespass.