Outdoor Lighting Ordinance

The Humboldt County Planning & Building Department has developed a coastal and inland version of the outdoor lighting ordinance to establish outdoor lighting design guidelines aimed at reducing light pollution and preserving the night sky in unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. 

Inland Outdoor Lighting Ordinance ( Humboldt County Code-314-105.1)

Board of Supervisors Hearing 08.19.2025

The draft Coastal and Inland versions of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance were presented to the Board of Supervisors at 10am on August 19, 2025. The ordinance was approved 3 - 2 by the Board of Supervisors. The staff report, coastal and inland versions of the ordinance, and virtual access to the meeting can be found at:

Board of Supervisors Meeting on 8/19/2025; Hearing starts at 01:32:41.

The Inland version of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance became effective on September 19, 2025.

The Coastal version of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance will need to be certified by the California Coastal Commission before it will be effective.

Planning Commission Hearing 05.15.2025

The draft Coastal and Inland versions of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance was presented to the Planning Commission at 6pm on May 15, 2025. The staff report, draft ordinance, and virtual access to the meeting can be found at:

Planning Commission Meeting on 5/15/2025; Hearing starts at 00:23:02.

Workshop 03.20.2025

A workshop to discuss the draft Lighting Ordinance was held at the Planning Commission meeting at 6pm on March 20, 2025. The staff report, draft ordinance, and virtual access to the meeting can be found at: 

Planning Commission Meeting on 3/20/2025; Workshop starts at 21:32.

For more information, please contact Associate Planner Reanne Meighan at rmeighan@co.humboldt.ca.us or (707)268-3713.

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access to all county programs, services and activities through the provision of accommodations for individuals with qualified disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With 72 hours prior notice, a request for reasonable accommodation for public meetings can be made by calling (707) 268-3713.