Dark Skies Lighting Initative

Dark Skies is about protecting our night skies from light pollution. There are numerous associated initiatives to educate, promote regulation and implementation of efficient and effective lighting systems worldwide.

What is light pollution? It is the brightening of the night sky that inhibits the observation of stars and planets, caused by street lights and other man-made sources.

The International Dark-Skies Association (IDA) has introduced regulations to limit light pollution. The purpose of the regulation is to:

•Permit reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for nighttime safety, utility, security, and enjoyment while preserving the ambiance of the night;
•Curtail and reverse any degradation of the nighttime visual environment and the night sky;
•Minimize glare and obtrusive light by limiting outdoor lighting that is misdirected, excessive, or unnecessary;
•Conserve energy and resources to the greatest extent possible;
•Help protect the natural environment from the damaging effects of night lighting.
All outdoor lighting fixtures (luminaires) shall be installed in conformance with this Regulation and with the provisions of the Building Code, the Electrical Code, and the Sign Code, as applicable and under permit and inspection, if such is required.
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Lighting that is exempt from this regulation:


1.Lighting in swimming pools and other water features governed by Article 680 of the National Electrical Code.
2.Exit signs and other illumination required by building codes.
3.Lighting for stairs and ramps, as required by the building code.
4.Signs are regulated by the sign code, but all sign lighting is recommended to be fully shielded.
5.Holiday and temporary lighting (less than thirty days use in any one year).
6.Football, baseball, and softball field lighting; only with permit from the authority recognizing that steps have been taken to minimize glare and light trespass, and utilize sensible curfews.
7.Low voltage landscape lighting, but such lighting should be shielded in such a way as to eliminate glare and light trespass.


For more information, http://www.darksky.org/