County Lighting Ordinances

The Bernalillo County Building, Zoning and Planning Department administers two lighting ordinances that have been adopted by the Bernalillo County Board of County Commissioners, namely the East Mountain Area Light Pollution Ordinance (1991) and the North Albuquerque Acres/Sandia Heights Light Pollution Ordinance (1997). These ordinances have provided standards for outdoor lighting that seek to conserve energy and increase nighttime safety, security, and productivity in a manner that does not interfere with the reasonable use of adjacent properties and with astronomical observations.

Some of the standards include:
- permissive and prohibited types of lighting;
- permissive lighting levels (footcandles);
- types and levels of filtration and shielding; and
- commercial and residential distinctions

They also set forth the requirements and processes associated with maintaining the lighting standards.

These include:
- exemptions and non-conformities;
- implementation and enforcement.

East Mountain Light Pollution Ordinance

North Albuquerque Acres and Sandia Heights Light Pollution Ordinance

For further information, contact Catherine VerEeck, Program Planner,
at 314-0387.