Light Pollution Abatement Program

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Bylaw Resources

Canada References

• Sample Lighting Ordinance
• Richmond Hill, Ontario Bylaw
• Saanich, BC Bylaw
• Mississippi Mills, Ontario Bylaw

US References

• Municipal Outdoor Lighting Regulations by State
• State Lighting Regulations
• Proposed State Regulations (MA)
• Proposed State Regulations (NH)
• Proposed Ordinance (Brighton Twp, MI)

International

• International Outdoor Lighting Regulations
• Campaign for Dark Skies (UK)

Municipal Bylaws

Transforming Good Intentions

Once people understand the wasteful and harmful effects of light pollution it is often hard to get them to move to the next step - transforming good intentions into tangible actions. A proven approach to controlling light pollution is to work at the municipal level to encourage local officials to adopt dark-sky friendly lighting bylaws.

A lighting bylaw will:

• Define light pollution concepts such as light trespass, full cut-off fixtures and acceptable lighting levels.
• Highlight the energy savings from a light pollution and make it part of the municipal budget process
• Promote the community and health benefits of having sensible lighting in your community.

In some cases, you can assist the planning department in developing the business case for changes to their bylaws. One excellent example is the City of Windsor Lighting Intensity Standards Study (150k). This study helped

Talking to Municipal Planners

Most municipalities have a planning department or other equivalent office that is responsible for recommending bylaw changes to their Council for consideration. Having a municipal planner on your side can make a big difference in promoting and ensuring that a bylaw is adopted.

Here are two "how-to" guides that can help you prepare for such a meeting.

• How-to Guide to Effective Energy-Efficient Street Lighting - for Municipal Elected/Appointed Officials (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 2002)
• How-to Guide to Effective Energy-Efficient Street Lighting - for Planners and Engineers  (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 2002)

Acreage Agreements (Canada)

• Acreage Agreement Mission Ridge Saskatoon

 

Bylaws (Canada)

• Sample Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in in PDF format  (55k) PDF. 
  
• Mississippi Mills, Ontario - Available in Word format (344k)
• Saanich, British Columbia - Sample for British Columbia
• Richmond Hill, Ontario - Sample in HTML format of in-force bylaw for Richmond Hill, Ontario (home to David Dunlap Observatory)




Municipal Ordinances (USA)

Municipalities in the USA have adopted street lighting ordinances that are dark sky friendly. These ordinances can be adapted for use in Canada with the appropriate changes to language and terminology.

• Sample Lighting Ordinance - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas.
• Proposed Mass. State Legislation Night-Outdoor-Lighting Bill
• New Hampshire Outdoor Lighting Control Ordinance (Proposed)
• Brighton Livingston County, Michigan Ordinance No. 143
• Bylaw- Townsend MA
  
  
 - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas.  - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas.
Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link".  - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link".  - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link".  - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link".  - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link".  - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas. - Provided by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) has posted a sample ordinance that covers all recommended areas.

Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link". Note the Sample Bylaw is also available in Rich Text Field Format (46k) . Save as a "Link".