Seeking to Minimize Light Pollution?

Did you know that April 21 – 28, 2025 was International Dark-Sky Week?

If you lived in Santa Barbara County (California), and especially in the county’s unincorporated areas, you may have known as the county now has a new Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.

This is a trend that more rural areas are considering, with some adopting.

The goal is to minimize light pollution while ensuring safety and security. The ordinance encourages the use of energy-efficient, sky-friendly fixtures and requires careful consideration of fixture placement to avoid light trespass and glare. Specific regulations and their extent vary depending on the area, with some areas having additional overlay zones with specific lighting restrictions to protect sensitive habitats and scenic resources. Requirements include:

• Lighting fixtures should be pointed downward and fully shielded.
• Light bulbs/lamps should be turned off during designated “dark hours”.
• Lighting should be limited to a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin and a maximum lighting intensity output of 850 lumens.
• Fixtures should be coordinated with landscaping and architectural styles.

According to an article in Santa Maria Times, by Nancy Emerson, chairperson of WE Watch, Save Our Stars Committee and Contact for the Central Coast Chapter of Dark Sky International, they are asking people to:

• Do light fixtures provide needed lighting for their tasks without over lighting?
• Do light fixtures’ designs and installed angles meet shielding requirements or does location need full cut-off fixtures?
• Do light bulbs meet the lumens and Kelvin requirements for residential and other locations?
• Will the height of the fixtures cause light trespass?
• Are lighting controls needed – dimming, motion or timing devices?

All good questions to ask to minimize light pollution.