Local rules only
Texas
Last checked October 29, 2026
Texas has narrow statutes. Health and Safety Code ch. 425 (1999) requires state-funded outdoor lights over 1,800 lumens to be cutoff luminaires, with exemptions for emergencies, special events, and safety. Local Government Code 240.032 requires counties within 57 miles of McDonald Observatory to regulate lighting, and ch. 229 gives towns there the same duty (2011). Some counties near other observatories or military bases may opt in.
| Statute | Citation | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation of Certain Outdoor Lighting (state-funded fixtures) (opens in new tab) | Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 425 (Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 713) | 1999 |
| County regulation of outdoor lighting near observatories and military installations (opens in new tab) | Tex. Local Government Code 240.031-240.032 (Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149) | 1987 |
| Municipal regulation of outdoor lighting near McDonald Observatory (opens in new tab) | Tex. Local Government Code 229.051-229.055 (H.B. 2857) | 2011 |
Municipal codes
- Jeff Davis County (opens in new tab): Commissioners Court order adopted October 9, 2007 at the request of McDonald Observatory: new or replaced fixtures must be fully shielded, mercury vapor and advertising searchlights are banned, signs go dark at closing or midnight, and violations are a Class C misdemeanor after 10 days' notice.
- Dripping Springs (opens in new tab): Adopted an outdoor lighting ordinance in 2000 and in 2014 became the first city in Texas designated an International Dark Sky Community.
Certified dark sky places in Texas
- Bee Cave
- Big Bend National Park
- Big Bend Ranch State Park
- Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
- Blanco, Texas
- Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas
- Copper Breaks State Park
- Devils River State Natural Area, Del Norte Unit
- Dripping Springs, Texas
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve
- Horseshoe Bay, Texas
- Jonestown, Texas
- Lakewood Village, Texas
- Liberty Hill, Texas
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
- Milton Reimers Ranch Park
- Shield Ranch Barton Creek
- South Llano River State Park
- UBarU Camp and Retreat Center
- Wimberley Valley, Texas
Bringing your own outdoor lighting up to the same standard? See Dark-Sky Friendly Outdoor Lighting.
Sources
- https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._health_and_safety_code_section_425.002 (opens in new tab)
- https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._health_&_safety_code_section_425.001 (opens in new tab)
- https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.425.HTM (opens in new tab)
- https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/docs/LG/htm/LG.240.htm (opens in new tab)
- https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/docs/LG/htm/LG.229.htm (opens in new tab)
- https://www.hillcountryalliance.org/uploads/HCA/JDCountyLightingReg.pdf (opens in new tab)
- https://www.drippingspringstx.gov/Lighting (opens in new tab)
- https://darkskytexas.org/texas-outdoor-lighting-codes-regulations/ (opens in new tab)
- https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-natural-resources/states-shut-out-light-pollution (opens in new tab)