College Station Street Light Ordinances - LED & Solar

Utilities and Infrastructure Texas 3 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of Texas

College Station, Texas regulates public street lighting through its municipal code and public works policies to manage safety, visibility, glare and energy use. This guide summarizes applicable standards for fixtures, LED upgrades and on-site solar integration, describes who enforces the rules, and shows how residents or contractors request changes or report problems. Where the city text or department pages do not publish numeric penalties or fees, this article notes that those figures are "not specified on the cited page" and cites the controlling municipal code and Public Works department for contact and procedures.[1]

Standards & Design

College Station requires street lighting to meet design standards for mounting height, spacing, fixture shielding and photometric performance to limit glare and light trespass while ensuring roadway safety. New installations and replacements typically must conform to the city-approved fixture list, manufacturer cut-sheets, and any dark-sky or neighbor-compatibility requirements in the public works or engineering standards.[1]

Check fixture approvals with the City of College Station Engineering or Public Works before purchase or installation.

LED Upgrades & Solar Integration

The city has moved toward LED conversion for energy efficiency; municipal replacement or retrofit programs are managed through Public Works or the city utility where applicable. Private developers or property owners who wish to install LED or solar-powered street lighting in the public right-of-way must obtain the required permits and approvals and provide fixture specifications for plan review.[2]

Private installations in the right-of-way require city review and an approved permit.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement responsibility for street lighting standards rests with the City of College Station departments identified in the municipal code and Public Works. Where the municipal code or department pages specify enforcement tools, the city may issue orders to correct noncompliant installations, require removal or modification, and pursue civil remedies.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat or continuing offences and exact fine ranges are not specified on the cited page; enforcement may escalate to municipal court or civil action.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, removal or modification directives, and court enforcement are used per the municipal code.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: City of College Station Public Works handles inspections and complaints; contact via the Public Works department page for reporting and inspection requests.[2]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits for contesting enforcement actions are governed by municipal procedures; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.[1]
If you receive an order, follow the correction timeline in the notice and contact Public Works promptly to arrange inspection.

Applications & Forms

Typical filings related to street lighting are right-of-way permits, construction plan submissions, and plan review packages describing fixtures and electrical work. The municipal site and Public Works page list permit application processes and where to submit plans; if a named form number or fee is required, it is not specified on the cited page.[2]

FAQ

Who owns and maintains street lights in College Station?
Ownership depends on location: many public street lights are owned and maintained by the City of College Station or the city utility; private lights on private property remain the owner’s responsibility.
How do I report a burned-out or damaged street light?
Report outages or damage to the City of College Station Public Works or the city reporting portal; include the pole number and location to speed response.
Can I install a solar-powered street light on my property facing the public right-of-way?
Private installations that affect the right-of-way require a permit and city review; submit fixture specs and an application to Public Works for approval before installation.[2]

How-To

  1. Identify the pole and record its number or nearest address, then photograph the issue.
  2. Contact City of College Station Public Works via the department contact page to file a report and request inspection.
  3. If proposing a new or modified installation, prepare fixture cut-sheets, wiring diagrams and a site plan and submit them with a right-of-way permit application.
  4. Pay any applicable permit fees as directed on the permit instructions; if fees are not listed on the city page, ask Public Works for the current fee schedule.

Key Takeaways

  • City rules balance safety, glare control and energy efficiency for street lighting.
  • Private work in the right-of-way requires permits and city review.
  • Report outages or noncompliance to Public Works for inspection and remedy.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] College Station Code of Ordinances - municipal regulations and standards
  2. [2] City of College Station Public Works - contacts, permits and reporting

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