Sedona's Skies
Stay Dark & Beautiful
Sedona is one of the world's first Dark Sky Communities. New rules mean ALL properties must upgrade their outdoor lighting — before 2028.
Explore the Guide
Common Questions
Click any question to see the answer.
The 3 Golden Rules
Follow these three rules and you'll be dark sky compliant. It's that simple.
Rule 1 — Keep It Warm
Light comes in different colors. Blue-white light (like daylight) is bad for dark skies. Warm amber-golden light is what's allowed. Look for bulbs labeled 2700K or 3000K — these are warm white. Avoid anything labeled "cool white," "daylight," or above 3000K.
Rule 2 — Shield It & Aim Down
Every outdoor light must point down toward the ground — never sideways, never up into the sky. The bulb itself should be hidden inside a housing so you can't see the bright glare. Think of it like a hat with a brim that blocks the light from going anywhere except down.
Rule 3 — Only What You Need
Use the minimum light necessary. Add timers so lights turn off when no one's outside. Use motion sensors on security lights — they only come on when needed. Don't leave all your outdoor lights blazing all night long just because you can.
Building Lighting
Lights mounted on your home, garage, or any structure — sconces, porch lights, security lights, and flood lights.
Porch & Entry Lights
Use a fully enclosed downward-facing fixture. The opening of the fixture must face the ground — not sideways or up. Replace open-globe or exposed-bulb fixtures. Color: 2700K–3000K warm white only.
Wall Sconces
Sconces mounted on exterior walls must have a full cap on top so zero light goes upward. Think "wall lantern with a lid." Open-top lanterns that glow upward are not allowed. Bulb must not be visible.
Security Lights
Security lights must use motion sensors — they cannot stay on all night. When they do come on, they must still point downward and use warm (≤3000K) bulbs. Floodlights aimed into the sky or at neighbors are not allowed.
- Fully enclosed downward fixtures
- Sconces with solid top cap
- Motion-sensor security lights (aimed down)
- Warm LED bulbs 2700K or 3000K
- Lights on timers that turn off at night
- Recessed soffit lighting aimed downward
- Open-globe fixtures (bare bulb visible)
- Sconces open at the top (light goes up)
- Floodlights aimed sideways or upward
- Cool white or daylight bulbs (4000K+)
- Lights left on all night with no timer
- Bare string lights on building exterior
Ground Lighting
Path lights, driveway lights, landscape lighting, and anything at or near ground level.
Path & Walkway Lights
Path lights are great — but the fixture must have a hat or hood that points the light downward onto the path. Low mushroom-style or bollard-style fixtures work perfectly. Spike lights that shoot light upward through frosted globes are not allowed.
Driveway Lighting
Lights along your driveway must be low to the ground and shielded. Bollard lights with downward-directing hoods work well. Avoid tall post lights with unshielded globes. Keep brightness low — just enough to see where you're going.
Landscape & Garden Lighting
You can use lights to highlight rocks, plants, and features — but the light must come from above, aimed downward. Lights staked in the ground aimed upward at plants or rocks are not compliant. Aim downward spotlights at a 45° angle or steeper toward the ground.
- Downward-facing mushroom path lights
- Hooded bollard lights along driveway
- Low-voltage landscape lights (aimed down)
- Step lights recessed into risers
- Downward spotlights on timers
- In-ground lights with covers aimed sideways or down
- Spike uplights aimed up at plants or rocks
- Unshielded globe path lights (light goes everywhere)
- In-ground lights aimed straight up
- Bright floodlights across the landscape
- Decorative lighting left on all night
- Lights that shine onto neighboring property
Tree Lighting
Lighting trees and plants is one of the most common dark sky violations. Here's what the rules say.
Why Uplighting is Banned
When you shine a light up into a tree, the light scatters in every direction — into the sky, into neighboring yards, into the eyes of people and wildlife. It creates sky glow that you can see from miles away. It looks dramatic but it's devastating for dark skies.
String Lights in Trees
Permanent exposed string lighting in trees is not permitted. If you have string lights wrapped around trees as permanent landscape decor, those need to come down. Holiday/seasonal lighting has some limited exceptions — check with the city for specific rules on temporary holiday lights.
What You CAN Do
You can light the base or ground area around a tree using downward-facing fixtures mounted above at a 45° or steeper angle. Low-level warm lighting around the base of a tree — aimed at the ground — is acceptable. The key: light goes down, not up into the canopy.
- Downward spotlight aimed at base of tree (from above)
- Low warm lighting around the trunk at ground level
- Path lights near trees (pointed down at ground)
- Temporary holiday lights (check city for specific rules)
- Ground stakes with lights aimed up into the canopy
- Permanent string lights wrapped in trees
- Uplighting of any kind — even subtle accent uplights
- Floodlights aimed at trees from house
- Colored lights in trees as permanent landscape feature
Good vs. Bad — See the Difference
Real-world examples of what's allowed and what needs to change before 2028.
An open globe fixture with an exposed bulb scatters light in all directions — up into the sky, sideways into neighboring yards, and directly into people's eyes. Very common, but not allowed.
A fully shielded sconce with a solid cap on top. The bulb is hidden inside the housing. All light goes downward onto the wall and ground. Stars remain visible. This is what you want.
A spike uplight staked in the ground shines light directly up into the sky. These are extremely common in Sedona landscaping but are not compliant. All of these must be removed or replaced.
A mushroom-style or bollard path light with a wide downward brim. Light only falls on the path below. Zero light escapes upward. Stars stay bright. This style works perfectly for Sedona.
Shining lights up into a tree is one of the most prohibited things under the Sedona ordinance. Light scatters through the canopy and goes straight up into the sky. Common, but completely banned.
The tree itself is dark. The sky above is full of stars. If you want subtle lighting, a small downward-facing light at the base aimed at the ground is acceptable — but the canopy stays dark.
A floodlight aimed sideways (or upward) and left on all night. No motion sensor. Blinds neighbors, scatters into the sky, wastes energy 24/7. Very common — not allowed.
A motion-sensor fixture aimed directly downward. It's off 99% of the night — only activates when someone walks by. Warm LED, fully shielded. This is exactly what the ordinance requires.
Shop Compliant Lights
Real products you can buy right now. Everything here is dark sky friendly. Look for 2700K or 3000K and "full cutoff" on the label.
Get It Done
Need help upgrading your lights? Here are local electricians, landscapers, and assistance programs serving Sedona.
Know what you have first
Walk your property at night and photograph every outdoor light. Note which ones shine upward, sideways, or have exposed bulbs. This list becomes your job scope — don't rely on the contractor to find everything.
Ask the right question
Tell any contractor: "I need dark sky compliant fixtures — full cutoff, 3000K or warmer, aimed downward." If they look blank, find someone else. Most good local electricians know exactly what this means.
Some of it is DIY
Swapping a low-voltage path light spike for a bollard is no harder than planting a shrub. Replacing a porch light globe with a compliant sconce is a 20-minute job with a screwdriver. Save contractor time for the hardwired stuff.
Questions?
The City of Sedona and several community organizations are here to help you understand and comply with the dark sky rules.
Community Development Department
For questions about outdoor lighting standards, whether your specific fixtures are compliant, permit requirements, or the 2028 deadline — this is your first call.
Hours: Mon–Thu, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm · Lobby at City Hall, 102 Roadrunner Dr
Code Enforcement — Report a Violation
If a neighbor's lighting is clearly non-compliant and causing problems — trees lit up, floodlights aimed at your property — you can file a report. Code enforcement officers investigate complaints.
Comments & Feedback
Great things don't happen in a vacuum. If you see something missing or have a suggestion, drop it below — I'm listening.
Get in Touch
This site was built to help Sedona residents navigate the dark sky ordinance as simply as possible. If something's unclear, incorrect, or missing — I genuinely want to know.
You can also reach me directly:
✉️ jean@jeanforcouncil.com
Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 25, 2026
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