Lighting Ordinance Update

The City Council directed staff to update the City’s zoning code to establish wildlife light pollution protection standards and align with the Dark Sky Lighting principles. The Dark Sky principles aim to significantly reduce light pollution to restore the natural darkness of the night sky.

The City is in the process of updating the existing outdoor lighting ordinance to be more consistent with the Dark Sky principles, which promote responsible outdoor lighting practices. These principles emphasize using light only when and where it is needed, ensuring the lighting is no brighter than necessary, and using warmer-colored lights.

Upcoming Events & Meetings

Tentative City Council Hearing, November 2025

For more information about the general City Council hearing information, please visit the City Council Meetings Agendas and Minutes page. Staff will update and send announcements once the date is confirmed and meeting agenda is available.

Please contact Kelly Cha at Kelly.Cha@paloalto.gov to be added to the project’s email list to receive future announcements.

Draft Ordinance (as of April 2025)

Applicability

If adopted, the ordinance would apply to:

  • New construction and major remodel projects.
  • Installation of new lighting and replacement of existing lighting on already developed properties.

Proposed Lighting Standards

All outdoor lighting would be required to:

  • Be fully shielded to reduce glare and light spill (with certain exceptions, such as low-voltage landscape lighting and string lights).
  • Use warm-colored lights (2,700 Kelvin or less).
  • Turn off or use motion controls by midnight, two hours after business closing, or when exterior areas are no longer in use, whichever is later.

Special Purpose Lighting Standards

Additional tailored requirements would apply for:

  • Low-density residential development.
  • Athletic facility lighting.
  • Automobile service station lighting.
  • String lighting.
  • Lighting for outdoor spaces above the ground floor.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be granted:

  • For historic buildings to preserve architectural character.
  • Where compliance would create an undue financial burden.

Compliance Timeline for Existing Lighting

  • Within 2 years: All existing lighting that has adjustable features to comply must meet new requirements except for shielding.
  • Within 5 years: All lighting in nonresidential zoning districts must meet all requirements, including shielding.
  • Within 10 years: All lighting in residential and mixed-use districts must meet all requirements, including shielding.
    • Non-compliant lighting after these deadlines must be turned off until upgraded.


Public Outreach and Community Engagement

The ordinance development process has included community input through public hearings. Please see the table below to access meeting materials including staff reports and recordings of public hearings.

Past and Planned Outreach

  • Architectural Review Board
    • February 15, 2024: Study Session on the concept of the Dark Sky Principles
    • July 18, 2024: Study Session on the initial draft ordinance as well as focused discussion on the applicability of the new regulations.
  • Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC)
    • August 14, 2024/August 28, 2024: Public hearing on the initial draft ordinance but continued to allow additional staff analysis regarding lighting curfews and technology, appropriate lighting for safety, and lighting needs for specific uses.
    • October 30, 2024: The PTC forwarded the recommended draft ordinance with several amendments, including expanding its applicability, adding a hardship exception, reducing light trespass and motion sensor time limits, adding new definitions, and suggesting further public outreach and future consideration of regulations for interior commercial lighting.
  • City Council
    • April 2025: The City Council requested staff to return with a revised draft ordinance more consistent with the amendments recommended by the PTC in October 2024.
  • Future Hearings
    • November 2025: City Council consideration of revised ordinance


Prior Public Meeting Materials

Date Meeting Agenda or Supplemental Documents Video
April 7, 2025  City Council Hearing

Agenda (Item #18)

Staff report and attachments can be found on the agenda linked above.
 Video


October 30, 2024 Planning and Transportation Commission Hearing

Agenda (Item #2)

Staff report and attachments can be found on the agenda linked above.

Video

August 28, 2024 Planning and Transportation Commission Study Session

Agenda (Item #2)

Staff report and attachments can be found on the agenda linked above.

Video (Commission discussion only)

August 14, 2024 Planning and Transportation Commission Hearing

Agenda (Item #4)

Staff report and attachments can be found on the agenda linked above.

Video (staff presentation and public comments only)

July 18, 2024 Architectural Review Board Study Session

Agenda (Item #2)

Staff report and attachments can be found on the agenda linked above.

Video
February 15, 2024


Architectural Review Board Study Session

 Agenda (Item #3)

Staff report and attachments can be found on the agenda linked above.

 Video


Other Helpful Resources

City’s Comprehensive Plan (Policy N-7.5 on Page 130)

Existing Lighting Ordinance (Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 18.40.250)

DarkSky International Website