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Outdoor lighting in Santa Rosa

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

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

What Santa Rosa's code says

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
Fixture height
  • At most 17 feet.
    Applies: Outdoor light poles on single-family property.
    § 20-30.080 · code text
    1. Single-Family Residential—17 feet.
  • At most 14 feet.
    Applies: Outdoor light poles on multifamily property.
    § 20-30.080 · code text
    2. Multi-Family Residential—14 feet.
Light at the property line
  • No more than 1 footcandle.
    Applies: Light on any property in a residential zone, except the site of the light.
    § 20-30.080 · code text
    No lighting on private property shall produce an illumination level greater than one footcandle on any property within a residential zoning district except on the site of the light source.
Shielding
  • Lights shielded or recessed, aimed down and away from neighbors and public rights-of-way; bulbs hidden, glare kept on site.
    § 20-30.080 · code text
    Each light fixture shall be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no on-site light fixture directly illuminates an area off the site.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Santa Rosa?

Santa Rosa's code: Lights shielded or recessed, aimed down and away from neighbors and public rights-of-way; bulbs hidden, glare kept on site. (§ 20-30.080); No more than 1 footcandle. (Light on any property in a residential zone, except the site of the light.) (§ 20-30.080).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Santa Rosa Municipal Code — full text