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Outdoor lighting in La Quinta

La Quinta's own rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text for every value.

Ask about outdoor lighting in La Quinta See coverage

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

What La Quinta's code says

La Quinta code What La Quinta's code adds
Fixture height
  • No more than 8 feet above grade.
    Applies: Pole- or fence-mounted decorative and landscape lights; building lights go below the eave line, or below the wall top if there are no eaves.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    Pole or fence-mounted decorative and landscape lights shall be located no more than eight (8) feet above grade.
Light at the property line
  • Lights must not shine directly on adjacent properties.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    All exterior lighting shall be located and directed so as not to shine directly on adjacent properties.
Shielding
  • Partial shielding required.
    Applies: Low pressure sodium lights.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Low pressure sodium 2 | Partially | None |
  • Full shielding required.
    Applies: High pressure sodium lights.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | High pressure sodium | Fully | None |
  • Full shielding and a filter required.
    Applies: Metal halide lights.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Metal halide 3 | Fully | Yes |
  • Full shielding and a filter required.
    Applies: Fluorescent lights.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Fluorescent | Fully 4 | Yes 5 |
  • Full shielding required.
    Applies: Quartz lights.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Quartz 6 | Fully | None |
  • Full shielding required.
    Applies: Incandescent lights over 160 watts.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Incandescent, greater than 160 watts | Fully | None |
  • No shielding required.
    Applies: Incandescent lights of 160 watts or less.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Incandescent, 160 watts or less | None | None |
  • No shielding required.
    Applies: Fossil fuel lights.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Fossil fuel | None | None |
  • No shielding required.
    Applies: Glass tubes filled with neon, argon or krypton.
    § 9.100.150 · code text
    | Glass tubes filled with neon, argon or krypton | None | None |
  • New mercury vapor lights are banned; existing ones must be fully shielded.
    Applies: Mercury vapor lights.
    § 9.100.150 · 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 La Quinta?

La Quinta's code: Partial shielding required. (Low pressure sodium lights.) (§ 9.100.150); Lights must not shine directly on adjacent properties. (§ 9.100.150).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific La Quinta property

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

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La Quinta Municipal Code — full text