Statewide law
New Mexico
Last checked October 29, 2026
New Mexico's Night Sky Protection Act (1999) requires outdoor fixtures installed after January 1, 2000 to be shielded so light falls below a horizontal plane, bans new mercury vapor fixtures, and bars lighting outdoor recreational facilities after 11 p.m. (tournament and game-in-progress exceptions). Low-wattage lights are exempt. A first violation draws a warning, then $25 per fixture.
| Statute | Citation | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Night Sky Protection Act (opens in new tab) | NMSA 1978, 74-12-1 to 74-12-11 (Laws 1999, ch. 197) | 1999 |
Certified dark sky places in New Mexico
- Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Clayton Lake State Park
- Cosmic Campground
- El Morro National Monument
- Fort Union National Monument
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
- Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
Bringing your own outdoor lighting up to the same standard? See Dark-Sky Friendly Outdoor Lighting.
Sources
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-74/article-12/ (opens in new tab)
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-74/article-12/section-74-12-4/ (opens in new tab)
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-74/article-12/section-74-12-6/ (opens in new tab)
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-74/article-12/section-74-12-7/ (opens in new tab)
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-74/article-12/section-74-12-10/ (opens in new tab)
- https://www.delapp.com/codes/nm_night_sky_protection_act_nmsa74-12-1.php (opens in new tab)
- http://darkskynm.org/nspa.pdf (opens in new tab)
- https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-natural-resources/states-shut-out-light-pollution (opens in new tab)