Outdoor lighting in San Diego County: the local rules

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

What San Diego County's code says

San Diego County code What San Diego County's code adds
When lights must be off	Off from 2 hours after sunset or 30 minutes after closing, whichever is later, until 1 hour before sunrise. Applies: Zone C, all Class I and Class III lighting. § 51.206 · code text All Class I and Class III lighting shall be extinguished two hours after sunset or within 30 minutes after the close of business, whichever is later, until one hour before sunrise Off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise. Applies: Lighting Zones A and B, Class I and Class III lighting. § 51.204 · code text All Class I and Class III lighting shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise
Brightness or color limit	Color temperature (CCT) of 3,000K or lower. Applies: Lighting Zone C, all lighting classes. § 51.206 · code text CCT ≤ 3,000K 4,050 lumens or less. Applies: Zone A, Class I fully shielded lights of any type. § 51.204 · code text Luminaires of any type ( ≤ 4,050 lumens) 4,050 lumens or less. Applies: Zone A, Class II fully shielded motion-sensor lights. § 51.204 · code text Luminaires of any type activated by a motion sensor ( ≤ 4,050 lumens) 4,050 lumens or less. Applies: Zone B, Class II fully shielded lights. § 51.205 · code text Luminaires ( ≤ 4,050 lumens) 2,000 lumens or less. Applies: Zone B, Class III unshielded lights. § 51.205 · code text Unshielded Luminaires: - Luminaires ( ≤ 2,000 lumens)
Shielding	All lights must be fully shielded. Applies: Zone C, Class I lighting where color rendition is important. § 51.206 · code text All luminaires shall be fully shielded Lights over 1,000 lumens must be fully shielded; lights of 1,000 lumens or less need not be. Applies: Lighting Zone C, Class II safety and security and Class III decorative lighting. § 51.206 · code text All luminaires >1,000 lumens shall be fully shielded - Full shielding is not required for luminaires ≤ 1,000 lumens Unshielded lights are not allowed. Applies: Lighting Zones A and B, Class I lighting where color rendition is important. § 51.204 · code text Unshielded Luminaires: - Prohibited Unshielded lights are not allowed. Applies: Zone A, Class III decorative lighting. § 51.204 · code text Unshielded Luminaires: - Prohibited Unshielded lights allowed only if motion-sensor or entrance lights, up to 2,000 lumens. Applies: Lighting Zones A and B, Class II safety and security lighting. § 51.204 · code text Unshielded Luminaires: - Luminaires activated by motion sensors ( ≤ 2,000 lumens) - Entrance luminaires ( ≤ 2,000 lumens)

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Frequently asked questions

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in San Diego County?

San Diego County's code: All lights must be fully shielded. (Zone C, Class I lighting where color rendition is important.) (§ 51.206); Off from 2 hours after sunset or 30 minutes after closing, whichever is later, until 1 hour before sunrise. (Zone C, all Class I and Class III lighting.) (§ 51.206).

Outdoor lighting in San Diego County

What San Diego County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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