Outdoor Kitchen Lighting (San Diego 2026): Task Lighting, Low-Glare Scenes, Under-Cover Rules, and Permit-Ready Scope
Updated February 2026 – San Diego County
Start with: Outdoor Kitchen Design · Outdoor Kitchen Packages · Outdoor Lighting (Full Guide) · Dark-Sky Estate Lighting · Estate Outdoor Electrical Plan
Great outdoor kitchen lighting is not “more lights.” It is task lighting where you actually prep and cook, low-glare ambiance where you dine, and safety lighting that makes steps and transitions visible without turning your yard into a stadium.
This guide gives you an estate-grade lighting plan you can put into bids: scenes, fixture types, under-cover rules (grease and smoke), electrical scope, and the checklist that prevents change orders.
Educational only (not legal advice). Electrical and lighting requirements vary by jurisdiction and product listing. Always follow manufacturer instructions and your local authority having jurisdiction.
- Prep and cook task lighting: bright where hands and knives are, no shadows on the counter.
- Grill control lighting: focused light on the grill face and cook surface without blinding glare.
- Dining ambiance lighting: warm, low-glare light that makes faces look good and keeps neighbors happy.
- Safety and circulation lighting: steps, edges, and transitions visible, not “floodlit.”
See: Vent Hoods & Ventilation
Lighting Scenes (What Makes It Feel “Built-In”)
Elite outdoor kitchens use scenes. One switch that blasts everything is the fastest way to create glare, neighbor complaints, and a space that feels harsh.
| Scene | What it does | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Safe navigation, welcoming vibe | Path/step lights, low-level area glow |
| Cooking | Task light where hands and knives are | Undercabinet/task, grill control light, minimal ambient |
| Dining | Warm faces, low glare, calm | Warm downlight or indirect, soft perimeter accents |
| Late | Low-level safety without bright light | Step/path lights only, very low ambient |
Decision Table: Task vs Ambient vs Accent vs Safety
| Lighting type | Purpose | Best placement | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task | Prep and cooking visibility | Undercabinet, under-shelf, targeted downlight over counters | Shadows on prep surface |
| Grill control | See knobs and cooking surface | Focused fixture aimed at grill face and cook zone | Blinding glare at eye level |
| Ambient | Comfort, faces look good | Warm downlights or indirect light under covers | Too bright, harsh, “stadium” feel |
| Safety | Steps and edges visible | Step lights, path lights, low-level edge definition | No step lighting, trip risk |
Fixture Types That Work Best for Outdoor Kitchens
- Undercabinet/under-shelf linear lighting: best task lighting with minimal glare.
- Recessed or surface-mounted downlights under covers: best for warm ambient when shielded and spaced correctly.
- Step lights: critical for safety and a premium feel.
- Low-glare accents: use sparingly, avoid uplights that turn the patio into a fishbowl.
Under-Cover Rules: Grease, Smoke, and Washable Zones
Kitchens under a patio cover or pavilion have a grease and smoke reality. Lighting near the cook zone should be placed and specified to handle cleaning.
- Ventilation plan: decide grill and hood strategy early.
- Washable fixtures and trims: avoid finishes that trap grease texture.
- Keep light out of smoke path: smoke and heat shorten fixture life when placed poorly.
- Seal penetrations: moisture and grease intrusion is a failure mode in coastal zones.
Electrical Scope: Make It Permit-Ready and Trench-Once
Lighting problems usually come from scope gaps: not enough circuits, no conduit plan, and no scene control. Put these items in your bid.
- Scene controls: Arrival, Cooking, Dining, Late.
- Transformers and zones: define where they go and how they remain serviceable.
- Conduit/sleeves under hardscape: future-proof before final finishes.
- Service access: junctions and drivers reachable without demolition.
Related: Estate Outdoor Electrical Plan
Placement: Where Lights Go So It Feels Premium
- Light the counter first: task lighting should eliminate shadows on prep surfaces.
- Avoid eye-level glare: do not aim bright fixtures toward seating.
- Protect privacy: avoid bright uplighting that increases visibility from neighbors.
- Steps and edges: always light step transitions.
Permits and HOA (San Diego Planning)
Kitchen lighting often triggers electrical scope and can require permits and inspections depending on jurisdiction and project conditions. HOA review is also common for visible exterior changes, especially in affluent communities.
Start with: Outdoor Kitchen Permits · HOA Approval
Bid Checklist: What to Demand in Writing
This checklist forces clarity and prevents change orders.
- Scene list: Arrival, Cooking, Dining, Late.
- Fixture schedule: type, location, and purpose (task vs ambient vs safety).
- Transformer/driver locations: service access plan.
- Conduit/sleeves: trench-once routing under hardscape.
- Under-cover notes: washable fixture choices and grease/smoke coordination.
- Permits/HOA responsibility: who owns approvals and who pays.
- QA photos: before cover-up for conduit runs and service points.
FAQs
What is the best lighting for an outdoor kitchen?
The best plan is zones and scenes: strong task lighting at prep and grill, warm low-glare ambient at dining, and step lighting for safety. One bright floodlight is the most common mistake.
Do I need undercabinet lighting outdoors?
For most premium kitchens, yes. Undercabinet or under-shelf lighting is the cleanest way to eliminate shadows on counters without creating glare.
What changes when the kitchen is under a patio cover?
Grease and smoke become a cleaning and finish issue. Lighting near the cook zone should be washable and placed to avoid heavy smoke paths. Coordinate with ventilation early.
Will outdoor kitchen lighting require permits?
Sometimes. Electrical scope and circuits can trigger permits and inspections depending on jurisdiction and project conditions. HOA approval is also common for visible changes.
Service Area
We design-build premium outdoor kitchens across San Diego County including Rancho Santa Fe (92067/92091), La Jolla (92037), Del Mar (92014),
Solana Beach (92075), Coronado (92118), Cardiff-by-the-Sea (92007), Encinitas (92024), Carmel Valley (92130), and Santaluz/Del Sur (92127).