COUNTY UNINCORPORATED AREAS
San Bernardino County Ordinance No. 3900 Regulations for Glare, Outdoor Lighting, and Night Sky Protection
This is an abstract of some of the main points of the ordinance. This ordinance affects only the “Mountain and Desert Areas”.
Note that this is only a general sense of the ordinance and is not complete language; please consult the actual ordinance for full provisions.
STANDARDS
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land Use Districts: Newly permitted lighting fixtures should be shielded as per Shielding Requirements table (on reverse) to preclude light pollution or light trespass.
Residential pole lighting is to be no higher than 12 feet.
Existing nonconforming lighting is allowed continued use (except it should not be structurally altered to prolong its life) unless it’s determined to result in light pollution or trespass. Hardship cases may be granted temporary relief.
Fifty percent of all nonconforming lighting fixtures within parking lots or open lot sale areas must be turned off within one hour of closing or between 10 p.m. and sunrise, whichever occurs first. In cases where this would constitute a hardship, administrative exemption may be granted.
Recreational Facilities: No illumination of recreational facilities for private use between 11 p.m. and sunrise. No illumination of recreational facilities for public use unless the facilities are being utilized, and the lighting must be turned off by 11 p.m. or one hour after the end of the event/use, whichever occurs last.
Billboards and Signs: Fixtures used to illuminate any primary new billboard or exterior illuminated accessory sign must be mounted on top of the sign structure and comply with shielding requirements.
EXEMPTIONS
Various exemptions are provided for, including kerosene lanterns and gas lamps; outdoor neon; public entities and agencies; emergency lighting; holiday lighting; flag lighting up to 140 watts; and others.
Other notable exemptions: Fixtures within 5 feet of an entrance/exit door or alcove of a dwelling, not higher than 8 feet or exceeding 75 watts, provided there is no light trespass; and pedestrian or architectural lighting not greater than 60 watts.
DEFINITIONS
“Fully shielded” means shielded or constructed so no light is emitted above the horizontal plane and so as not to direct light or light trespass onto adjacent property, on any other property within the line of sight (direct or reflected) of the light source, or to any member of the public traveling on adjacent roadways or rights-of-way. See Shielding Requirements table (below).
“Light trespass”: Light onto neighboring property or property that is withing a direct line from the light source that interferes with viewing of night sky, eliminates the ability to have darkness on such property or shines on any area on these properties or structures. Quantitative method of measurement of light trespass is described in the ordinance.
“Light pollution”: Artificial light generated and emitted into the night sky.
