Outdoor lighting in Palmdale: the local rules

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

What Palmdale's code says

Palmdale code What Palmdale's code adds
Brightness or color limit	Light color may be at most 3,000 Kelvin. Applies: New development, and outside changes or additions that replace light fixtures. § 17.86.030 · code text the color temperature of outdoor lighting shall not exceed 3,000 Kelvins.
Light at the property line	Light at property lines may be at most 1/4 foot-candle. Applies: New development, and outside changes or additions that replace light fixtures. § 17.86.030 · code text The light level at property lines shall not exceed one-quarter foot-candles.
Shielding	Fixtures must point down or at buildings and be fully shielded to prevent glare and light spill. Applies: New development, and outside changes or additions that replace light fixtures. § 17.86.030 · code text All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site intended to be illuminated. Security lights must be shielded and aimed only at the intended area, without direct light elsewhere. Applies: Security light fixtures; not above the fascia or roof line; floodlights are not allowed. § 17.86.030 · code text All security lighting fixtures shall be shielded and aimed so that the illumination is directed only to the designated area and shall not cast direct light on other areas.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Palmdale?

Palmdale's code: Fixtures must point down or at buildings and be fully shielded to prevent glare and light spill. (New development, and outside changes or additions that replace light fixtures.) (§ 17.86.030); Light at property lines may be at most 1/4 foot-candle. (New development, and outside changes or additions that replace light fixtures.) (§ 17.86.030).

Outdoor lighting in Palmdale

What Palmdale's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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